Photo by Adrian Curiel on Unsplash

W​Ith no draft picks in the first two rounds of the 2023 NFL Draft, the San Francisco 49ers were sure to be busy during rounds 3 through 7 as the team had a combined nine draft picks.

T​he 99th-overall draft pick was to be the 49ers first selection of this year’s draft, but they would make a trade with the Minnesota Vikings i the third round and move up to the №87 spot to select Penn State safety Ji’Ayir Brown. In return, the 49ers traded picks №102, 164 and 222 to the Vikings.

Ji’Ayir Brown / Photo by NFL.com

B​eing drafted into the NFL does not guarantee a long football career, but 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan was pleased with the rookies that were selected this year.

“​We have a good team that does have a lot of depth, and our first goal is that we hope these draft picks can make our team, which isn’t easy to do,” Shanahan said.

T​he 49ers 2023 rookie draft class (as well as undrafted free agents) will have their work cut out for them to make an immediate impact on a squad that is deep in talent. Nevertheless, these young athletes will also have the benefit of learning from a hungry group of 49er players who were one win away from going to the Super Bowl the previous two seasons.

W​ith the amount of depth and talent on the 49ers roster, any rookie that steps in and proves they are capable of contributing right away will be welcomed because depth is a valuable commodity you can never have enough of.

W​hile we are on the subject of depth, we will focus on that area for the wide receiver position and where it stands after the Draft. Here is an assessment of the current 49ers wide receivers.

D​EEBO SAMUEL

Deebo Samuel / Photo by USA Today

Deebo Samuel has become one of the most versatile offensive weapons in the league since being drafted by the 49ers in 2019. His ability to line up anywhere on the field and gain a big chunk of yards is know to give opposing defensive coordinators nightmares.

W​ith an offensive unit that is already stacked with the likes of running back Christian McCaffrey and tight end George Kittle, look for Samuel to play a key piece in the 49ers offense that Shanahan will use.

B​RANDON AIYUK

Brandon Aiyuk / Photo by Ezra Show, Getty Images

T​he former Arizona State wide receiver has shown improvements each season since entering the NFL in 2020, and Brandon Aiyuk will look to build on last season’s success when he had 78 receptions for 1,015 yards and eight touchdowns.

E​arly last Friday morning Aiyuk received a call from his agent informing him the 49ers were going to pick up his fifth-year option, which will guarantee the 2020 first-round pick $14.12 million in 2024. 49ers General Manager John Lynch admitted to receiving trade calls from around the league, but claims the team never had any intentions of trading Aiyuk.

“​We’re trying to do something special this year and Brandon is going to be a part of that, and beyond as well,” Lynch said. “We’re really excited about Brandon Aiyuk and where he is as a pro, and the work he’s done to develop as a pro and become one of our core players here.”

J​AUAN JENNINGS

Jauan Jennings / Photo by Michael Zagaris, San Francisco 49ers, Getty

T​o be a №3 wide receiver on an NFL team, one must be relied on to make a key play when other options are not viable. Since joining the 49ers as a rookie out of Tennessee in 2020, Jauan Jennings has been nothing short of reliable as a №3.

J​ennings spent a majority of his 2020 rookie season on the 49ers practice squad, but would become a key part of the team’s receiving corps in 2021. In the 2021 season finale against the NFC West division rival Los Angeles Rams, the 49ers needed a win to make it to the playoffs; Jennings would step up by having six receptions for 94 yards and two touchdowns in the game.

T​he 49ers would go on to extend their 2021 season for a few weeks with a 27–24 victory over the Rams. Jennings efforts that game emphasizes his importance to the team, and if not for him the 49ers do not make the playoffs.

R​AY-RAY MCCLOUD

T​he 49ers are Ray-Ray McCloud’s fifth NFL team since being drafted in the sixth round by the Buffalo Bills in 2018. Despite not being a primary weapon on offense, McCloud is still an asset to the 49ers.

S​pecial teams is an area where McCloud has performed well since coming to San Francisco though he does get some opportunities on offense at times. And because McCloud is a speedy receiver, Coach Shanahan can use this on offense as well as special teams.

C​HRIS CONLEY

Chris C​onley is 30-years old, and last season only caught four passes in seven games for the Tennessee Titans. But despite the minimal production, the 6’2″ veteran receiver has 63 career starts on his resume and runs an impressive 4.35 40.

U​ntil training camp gets underway, it is tough to gauge if Conley will be part of the 49ers when the season starts. But both his size and speed give him a chance to make the 53-man roster… that and his willingness to block as a receiver which is a rule to play in Shanahan’s system.

D​ANNY GRAY

D​anny Gray was a third-round pick (105th overall) drafted out to Southern Methodist University by the 49ers last season. And while the second year player is another receiver with blazing speed (4.33 40), Gray could not assert himself during his 2022 rookie campaign and was rarely seen on the field.

G​ray has an uphill battle to face as the 49ers are loaded with capable receivers who are comfortable on the field; so he will need to have a tremendous off season to get on the field and avoid being cut.

W​ILLIE SNEAD

O​n Monday, the 49ers re-signed Willie Snead to a one-year deal. A seasoned vet just like Conley, Snead has played for five NFL teams including the 49ers last season where he played in four games but recorded no receptions.

S​nead provides the 49ers depth at the wide receiver position, but he is a long shot to make the 53-man roster.

R​ONNIE BELL (ROOKIE)

Ronnie Bell / Photo by Kirthmon F Dozier, Detroit Free Press

T​he 49ers waited until the seventh round to select a receiver where they selected Ronnie Bell from Michigan. Though not possessing a lot of speed, Bell has the ability to go up and fight for the football.

A​fter suffering a torn ACL at Michigan in 2021, Bell would bounce back in 2022 and post his best numbers in college by reeling in 62 receptions for 889 yards and four touchdowns.

I​t will be tough to sell Bell as a top-4 wide receiver on the 49ers depth chart, but he does possess good blocking skills while also playing hard-nosed style football. Both these traits give Bell a good chance to at least crack the special teams depth chart.

S​HAE WYATT (ROOKIE UNDRAFTED FREE AGENT)

T​he 49ers agreed to term with 11 undrafted rookie free agents after the Draft including wide receiver Shae Wyatt from Tulane. in 25 games at Tulane, Wyatt registered 63 receptions for 1,023 yards and 10 touchdowns.