San Francisco 49ers

49ers Lacking Playmakers at Wide Receiver

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Even with a convincing victory in Week 1 against the Los Angeles Rams, it is clear the San Francisco 49ers need help on the outside. Otherwise, it could be tough sledding for the offense this season.

With a resounding victory versus the Rams, the question is this: Are the 49ers that good, or are the Rams that bad? With just one game as the litmus test, the answer probably lies somewhere in between.

As good as the running game and defense looked, the offense looked average at best. In fact, during a particularly ugly third quarter, there were seven punts between the two teams, with the teams combining for just 48 yards and three first downs.

Simply put, that just won’t get it done. With teams like Carolina, New England, Dallas and New Orleans on the schedule, to name a few, the offense will definitely need to put up points.

The Niner defense played extremely well against the Rams. However, many of the teams left on the schedule have veteran quarterbacks who are capable of putting up 30 to 40 points on any given Sunday. The onus will be on the offense to move the sticks and convert in the red zone.

Sep 12, 2016. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers tight end Vance McDonald (89) celebrates scoring a touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams.

Currently, the team has no true No. 1 receiver.  Torrey Smith has the ability to break open downfield on occasion. However, he seems to lack consistency in getting open.

Newly signed wideout Jeremy Kerley led the 49ers receiving corps with seven catches, totaling 61 yards. Quinton Patton ripped off a 35-yard catch, but that was on a short pass he turned into a long play. Patton may see more opportunities coming his way in the weeks to come.

The team needs more depth anyway with the loss of CFL start Eric Rogers and Bruce Ellington to injuries. Both receivers are out for the year. Rogers tore his ACL while Ellington tore his hamstring.

That may be why the team brought in former New England Patriots receiver Aaron Dobson for a workout this week. Currently, he remains unsigned.

The Niners need to bring in someone or give more opportunities to someone on either the 53-man roster or practice squad. Perhaps Rod Streater or Dres Anderson for example.

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New head coach Chip Kelly has ways of getting receivers open with different formations. But with man-press coverage defenses like the Seahawks and Cardinals in the division, the team needs someone who consistently offers a threat in mid-range and deep patterns.

This will keep opposing defensive secondaries from sliding closer to the line of scrimmage, choking off short routes and not allow them to creep up to make plays on 49ers running backs.

The 49ers defense knew early on they could do just that and slow Todd Gurley down, because the Rams had no one who could challenge the secondary over the top.

The result was Gurley rushing just 17 times for 47 yards.

With the Carolina Panthers playing their home opener, coming off a tough loss against the defending champion Denver Broncos, the 49ers will have their hands full.

The young Panther secondary held up fairly well against Emmanuel Sanders and Demaryius Thomas. And while Patton and Kerley had effective moments in Week 1, the Panthers will challenge the Niners and QB Blaine Gabbert to beat them in the passing game.

Question is, can the Niners make them pay for it?

All stats, records, and accolades courtesy of ESPN.com, Pro-Football-Reference.com and Sports-Reference.com unless otherwise indicated.

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