Kendrick Bourne led all San Francisco 49ers wide receivers with 487 receiving yards last season. Coming in second was then-rookie Dante Pettis with 467 receiving yards. While no 49ers wide receiver gained over 500 yards receiving in 2018, five had 20-or-more catches.
Could Pettis be primed for a breakout sophomore season? 359 of his receiving yards last year and all but one of his five touchdowns came during the final five games of the season. Those are impressive numbers for someone fighting to separate himself from the pack.
But is that what he's trying to do?
Pettis isn't focused on being the team's top wideout. Instead, he is focused on being the best receiver he can be, and will let everything else work itself out.
Pettis spoke with reporters this past week and acknowledged that there isn't necessarily a No. 1 wide receiver on the roster. He also admitted that it probably doesn't matter because head coach Kyle Shanahan, who is also the team's offensive play caller, will use all of the weapons at his disposal.
"If I'm the top guy, great," Pettis said. "If Marquise (Goodwin) is the top guy, great. Someone's going to step up. I'm going to play the best football that I can play, and if that puts me at receiver one or whatever, great. If it doesn't, I know we're still going to be able to move the ball, score touchdowns, win some games.
"I don't think any of us are worried about who they see as being the No. 1 guy."
Players have a lot of faith in what Shanahan can do as a play caller. Pettis believes it's enough to help the offense find success.
"Whoever he wants to get the ball is going to get the ball," Pettis said. "If you're in that position, you might as well get open."
Shanahan told reporters in February that he has high expectations for Pettis heading into the 2019 season.
"I have big expectations for Dante," Shanahan said. "We did before we drafted him. We had it throughout this year, and we expect him to continue to get better. I think he went through the normal rookie-type ups and downs that a lot of them do as receivers.
"He came in strong in training camp, got a little banged up but was healthy enough for Week 1; did well Week 2. I think he had a touchdown in Week 1. Week [4], he got an injury that kind of set him back. He didn't get right until about Week 12. Then he finished the year very strong. He finished the year up probably as our best guy."
Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
No No. 1 wide receiver? “Someone’s going to step up,” says 49ers’ Dante Pettis
Jun 7, 2019 at 2:34 PM
• --
Videos are auto-populated by an affiliate. This site has no control over the videos that appear above.
Facebook Comments
More San Francisco 49ers News
ESPN analyst weighs in on 49ers potentially drafting a wide receiver
By David Bonilla
Apr 10
The San Francisco 49ers will likely add a rookie wide receiver via the draft, and it has nothing to do with Brandon Aiyuk's current contract situation. Deebo Samuel is about as physical a player as you'll find at the position, so wear and tear, along with his significant salary, has to be a concern. Jauan Jennings is slated to become an unrestricted free agent next year.
The 49ers have tried to address the position recently, drafting Ronnie Bell in the seventh round last year and Danny Gray in the third round in 2022. While it's too early to judge Bell, Gray has played only 87 offensive snaps as a pro. His career stat line is unimpressive, recording only one reception for 10 yards on seven targets.
One ESPN analyst and 49ers fan, Matt Miller, admits to being
If the 49ers draft a wide receiver, don't expect it to be a smaller guy
By Marc Adams
Apr 13
The San Francisco 49ers are in good shape for 2024 when it comes to the wide receiver position. What that room looks like after this coming season remains to be seen. Most believe the 49ers will give Brandon Aiyuk a new contract around the start of training camp. But there are no guarantees. As it was reported on Friday, Aiyuk unfollowed the 49ers on Instagram, much like Deebo Samuel did two years ago.
It seems to be how modern-day players negotiate. It's not necessarily anything to be concerned about, but you never truly know how these things will end. There is still potential that the 49ers could trade the star receiver in the next couple of weeks.
If Aiyuk is extended, it
Brandon Aiyuk's agent denies report of Steelers 'aggressively pursuing' the 49ers receiver
By David Bonilla
Apr 18
On Wednesday, Chat Sports contributor Chase Senior reported that the Pittsburgh Steelers were "aggressively pursuing" San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk. He further stated that the Steelers are confident they can finalize a deal for the star player.
REPORTS: The Pittsburgh Steelers are aggressively pursuing a Brandon Aiyuk trade and the Steelers would be "surprised" if they don't land Aiyuk. Of note: Pittsburgh has the 20th overall pick. The Niners could look at that as equal value for Aiyuk if they can't get a deal done.…
Schrager mock draft has 49ers adding 'universally liked and respected' receiver
By David Bonilla
Apr 16
With only nine days remaining until the start of the 2024 NFL Draft, Good Morning Football's Peter Schrager revealed his first mock draft of the year. While most might expect the San Francisco 49ers to target an offensive lineman, Schrager has the team bolstering its wide receiver corps with an SEC talent.
Schrager has the 49ers using the No. 31 overall pick to select former Georgia wide receiver Ladd McConkey, whose 2023 campaign with the Bulldogs was limited by back and ankle injuries.
"McConkey in the first round? Yes," Schrager wrote. "Above guys like Troy Franklin and Keon Coleman? Perhaps. I've spoken to a