The 49ers receiving corps needs help. Their inability to get consistent production at that position a season ago bogged down their offense in too many close games. While the 2019 draft class offers some intriguing candidates to fill the void in San Francisco’s depth chart, free agency will offer a host of pass catchers who also fit that need.
There aren’t any elite receivers among the 2019 free agent group. Antonio Brown is potentially available via trade, but that’s an entirely different, much more complicated story.
Here are five free agent receivers who make sense for the 49ers to target when free agent negotiations open on March 11:
Golden Tate
Tate is the top available receiver. This is the kind of swing the 49ers haven’t taken in year’s past. He turns 31 before the start of the season and will command a top-end contract considering the rest of the free agent class. His production dipped some last season, but since 2013 he’s averaged 73 catches, 845 yards and four touchdowns per season. Tate has never relied on top-end athleticism, which should allow his game to age well. He’s a menace after the catch and does a great job getting open. Tate fits what Kyle Shanahan likes from receivers. His price tag will determine just how aggressively the 49ers pursue him.
Tyrell Williams
If Tate is the top available receiver overall, Williams might be at the top of San Francisco’s wish list. His 6-foot-4, 205-pound frame would offer size their roster doesn’t have at the position. The 27-year-old has 153 catches for 2,440 yards and 16 touchdowns the last three seasons – including a career-high 1,059 yards and seven touchdowns in 2016. Williams can stretch the field vertically, make contested catches, and work as the red zone target the 49ers badly need. He’ll be asked to do more than be a deep threat under Shanahan, but he has the skill set to develop into a versatile receiver.
Chris Hogan
He turns 31 in the middle of the 2019 season, so Hogan won’t be a long-term solution, but he checks all the boxes Shanahan wants in a receiver. There’s nothing that stands out when watching him except for the fact he always seems to be open. Hogan can get vertical, but he’s most effective underneath and working the middle of the field. His ability to shake defenders also makes him a reliable red zone threat despite being listed at 6-1, 210 pounds. There’s an added bonus with Hogan in that he’s familiar with Jimmy Garoppolo. They were teammates in 2016 and 2017. Hogan had seven catches for 119 yards and a touchdown in Garoppolo’s two starts for New England in 2016.
Chris Conley
Conley does not check the boxes Shanahan typically wants in a receiver. He’s not a terrific route runner and does most of his damage thanks to his rare combination of size and athleticism at 6-3, 205 pounds. He caught five touchdowns last season – all of them in the red zone. San Francisco had the worst red zone offense in the league last season which makes Conley an interesting player for them. It would be a departure from the norm for Shanahan, who values route running and versatility more than he does size and speed. However, Conley could be had for relatively cheap, and he brings solutions to many of the 49ers’ problems at receiver.
Kelvin Benjamin
There’s a chance Benjamin’s market never materializes and he can be had on a very cheap contract. He’s not shown the ability to stay healthy or in shape, and it’s harmed his on-field production. At one time he was a first-round pick at wide receiver out of Florida State. There’s untapped talent in the 6-foot-5 28-year-old. He had a very good rookie year with 1,008 yards, 73 catches and nine touchdowns, then backed that up with 63 catches, 941 yards and seven touchdowns. He’s been unable to reach that level of production since, but his size and potential could make him intriguing enough for the 49ers to take a flier on him.
