Big things were expected from Dante Pettis in 2019, as the San Francisco 49ers receiver entered his second NFL season, and after he showed flashes during his rookie campaign. What resulted was a disappointing 11-reception season as Pettis contributed just 109 yards of offense.
Pettis, a second-round pick in 2018, hauled in two touchdown passes, but none came after Week 9. In fact, the 24-year-old receiver didn't have a catch after Week 9 and was inactive against the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIV.
The 49ers remain hopeful that Pettis can find a way to flourish within head coach Kyle Shanahan's offense.
"I know a lot of people have soured on him, but we haven't," general manager John Lynch said last month. "He didn't come to camp ready to play last year, physically, and we challenged him. That's got to change. We believe, if he does, that he's a guy who can really excel in our offense."
Forget proving himself during the regular season. Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area, who joined KNBR this week, isn't even sure Pettis makes it to the 53-man roster (h/t to KNBR).
"His prove it time is when and if there is a training camp," Maiocco said of Pettis on the Tolbert, Krueger & Brooks show, "because if he doesn't show up in great shape and stronger, then I just don't see him being on the team. I think his prove-it time is, on a normal year, August. Otherwise, he's going to be looking for work."
Pettis finds himself in an even more crowded receiver room this year. While San Francisco lost veteran Emmanuel Sanders in free agency and traded away Marquise Goodwin, the team used a first-round draft pick to acquire Brandon Aiyuk, and a seventh-rounder to add Jauan Jennings. The 49ers signed Travis Benjamin in free agency. They hope to get Trent Taylor and Jalen Hurd, neither of which were active for a single game last year and landed on injured reserve, back.
All of them will compete with Deebo Samuel, Kendrick Bourne, and possibly Richie James Jr. for playing time.
The other player who needs to prove himself in 2020, according to Maiocco, is running back Jerick McKinnon, who, after suffering an ACL injury in 2018, has yet to take a regular-season snap with the 49ers.
"Prove it year would have to be for Jerick McKinnon—a guy who fits exactly what Kyle wants, but he hasn't played in two years," said Maiocco, "so this has got to be his year."
You can listen to the entire conversation with Maiocco below. The portion about Pettis and McKinnon begins at about the 14-minute mark.