San Francisco 49ers

Jeremy Kerley resurrecting career with 49ers

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

foxsports

Desperate for wide receiver help, the San Francisco 49ers traded for Jeremy Kerley on August 28, 2016: two weeks before the regular season began. After Week 1, the trade looks to be a win-win for the 49ers and Kerley, as he led the team in targets, receptions, and receiving yards.

Jeremy Kerley has found a new home with the San Francisco 49ers. The newest 49ers receiver quickly made his name known by leading the team in targets, receptions, and receiving yards in their Week 1, 28-0 shutout of the Los Angeles Rams.

His resurgence, if continued, will completely alter his career trajectory from a few weeks ago.

Kerley once looked to be a promising receiver in the National Football League. As a second-year receiver with the New York Jets, Kerley racked up 827 yards on 56 catches, playing in al 16 games for the Jets that year. Since then, his numbers have decreased steadily, down to a measly 152 yards last season.

He is well on his way to passing that in the first quarter of 2016. In Week 1 Kerley had 7 receptions on 11 targets for 61 yards. In addition, Kerley has replace the injured Bruce Ellington as punt returner, returning two punts for 11 yards.

In an ironic twist, Kerley’s position with the Detroit Lions, whom he signed with during the offseason, appeared to be taken when the Lions signed former 49ers receiver Anquan Boldin. As both play the slot, there would not be enough room for each of them on the roster. Kerley, already a bubble player, was the odd man out.

The 49ers offered a new opportunity, however, when they traded backup offensive lineman Brandon Thomas to the Lions in exchange for the receiver. Now in the Chip Kelly system on a roster depleted of wide receivers thanks to injuries, Kerley is in the best possible position to remake and resurrect his career. So far he has taken advantage of this gift.

More from Niner Noise

The 49ers hope he continues to do so. Without much receiving talent, the 49ers need Kerley to step up in a big way throughout this season. Week 1 was a good start.

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

This article originally appeared on