NFL legend Jerry Rice still follows the happenings of his old team, the San Francisco 49ers. The Hall of Fame wide receiver, the greatest to ever play the position, recently joined 95.7 The Game and shared his thoughts on the team's current wide receiver corp.
Deebo Samuel enjoyed a breakout season last year, one that will be tough to duplicate. However, Rice believes another wideout is primed for a big 2022 campaign.
"I think the guy that's really, really going to have a breakout year is Brandon Aiyuk," Rice said. "Because with all that single coverage, and all that attention going on George Kittle too, this guy, he's got to blossom this year. And if he does that, it's going to take some of the pressure off Deebo Samuel and also George Kittle."
Samuel and Aiyuk aren't the only 49ers wide receivers Rice is eager to watch this season. He is also excited about the team's third-round pick.
"Danny Gray, I think they call him the Gray Ghost, something like that," Rice said. "Man, he's making plays. I had a chance at the 49ers Foundation to stand up next to this guy, and he was looking down at me. So I was like, 'My God.'
"But the guy can run, and he's not afraid to go across the middle. So we have the weapons on offense."
On the other side of the ball, Rice believes the 49ers defense's success depends on one player reaching his potential.
"The key to this defense is going to be Javon Kinlaw. ... Man, this guy, I had a chance to stand up next to this guy at training camp, and he's an animal, man. He's an animal, the size of him and stuff like that. If he really develops and [can] be a factor, I think it's going to open the door for Nick Bosa and all those guys."
Kinlaw is coming off knee surgery but has looked like a force and a handful for opposing offensive linemen. The 49ers made Kinlaw the No. 14 overall draft pick in 2020, and his career so far has been underwhelming. However, that might be about to change.
San Francisco opens its regular season on Sunday, September 11, against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field.