Dante Pettis might’ve gone higher in the 2018 NFL draft if not for an ankle injury that kept him from running at the NFL combine and the University of Washington’s Pro Day. The 49ers scooped him up at No. 44, and he was very likely going to be a second-round pick regardless because of his route running prowess and prolific career as a punt returner. However, there’s a speed element to his game that might’ve gone overlooked in the draft. It might also be the key to a dominant second season from the former Husky.
Pettis averaged 17.3 yards per reception last season thanks to a number of long runs after the catch. While some of that can be chalked up to his being open thanks to head coach Kyle Shanahan’s offense, there’s reason to believe the explosive plays will keep coming for Pettis in Year 2.
Cameron Pezet at Pro Football Focus wrote about the 49ers’ receiving corps, and had an interesting stat on the former second-round pick’s rookie season. Pettis averaged 7.9 yards per reception after the catch in 2018. That was tied for the highest mark among receivers with at least 40 receptions.
It was common last season to see Pettis running in open space, making some defenders miss and pulling away from others.
Some of that was scheme, but more of it was Pettis’ ability to create separation with his routes, then run away from from the defense. He had a 25 yard catch and run against the Buccaneers where he flashed his speed. He had a 75-yard touchdown on a slant against the Seahawks in Seattle. He had another couple of strong catch-and-runs against Seattle at home.
It’s tough to find a confirmed 40 time for Pettis before the draft, but he told NFL.com that he was clocked at 4.37 when healthy. That number is difficult to argue with after the kind of explosiveness he showed last year.
Is he as fast as Marquise Goodwin? No, but his penchant for breaking off big plays is undeniable, and something that should carry over into his second season.
