49ers depth chart: How high can 2 draft picks climb at WR?

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The 49ers during the NFL draft threw an interesting wrinkle into their wide receiver depth chart when they selected WR Ricky Pearsall with the 31st overall pick. They added another layer of intrigue when they spent the 135th pick, the final selection in the fourth round, on WR Jacob Cowing.

While it's clear there's at least one eye toward the future for San Francisco with those picks, they also figure to factor into the 2024 depth chart somewhere. The top two spots on that depth chart are rock solid, and before the draft there weren't a lot of questions about who would occupy the other four or five WR spots. After the draft there are plenty of things in flux in the 49ers WR corps.

Here's a quick projection of the 49ers' WR depth chart following the NFL draft. We didn't include UDFAs since those signings haven't been officially announced:

(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Aiyuk has been the 49ers' leading receiver in back-to-back years and eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark in both instances. There are other incredible playmakers in San Francisco's offense, but Aiyuk has become a go-to target for quarterback Brock Purdy and it's clear they view him as WR1.

[Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]

While there are questions about Samuel's future with the 49ers, there are no questions about his present. This is San Francisco's offensive spark thanks to his ability to make tough, contested catches and run after the catch. His volume has dipped some with other playmakers like Aiyuk and running back Christian McCaffrey entering the fold, but Samuel is still one of the NFL's most electric playmakers.

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The third depth chart spot is where things get particularly intriguing. Jennings is penciled in as WR3 and figures to see a lion's share of the snaps when San Francisco goes to three wide receivers. There may not be a better blocking WR in the NFL, and Jennings is such a go-to threat on third downs that the term "third-and-Jauan" became a thing. There weren't many options to siphon snaps from Jennings in the past. That could definitely change in 2024.

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The rookie first-round pick lands at No. 4 on the depth chart for now, but he has a real chance to cut into some of Jennings' playing time depending on how he adapts to the NFL. Pearsall is an excellent route runner who is particularly adept at getting open in the intermediate areas of the field where Purdy thrives. Even if Pearsall doesn't take playing time from Jennings, he may instill more confidence in head coach Kyle Shanahan to go with four WR sets more often than he has in the past. Projections put Pearsall in one of the top two spots of the depth chart in the not-so-distant future. For now he'll be battling for playing time.

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Conley might've found a home in San Francisco where he contributes on special teams and works as a serviceable reserve WR. There's an off chance he winds up missing a roster spot and spending time on the practice squad, but for now he's pretty firmly planted here as one of the few consistently reliable options down the depth chart.

Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

If the season started on May 1 we'd probably see Bell active. He plays on special teams and had a couple of moments as a pass catcher last season. That he didn't play more on offense though isn't a great sign for him moving forward, especially when there's a fourth-round pick breathing down his neck. Bell gets the nod as the sixth WR for now, but this will be one of the key camp battles to watch assuming San Francisco keeps six receivers on its 53-man roster.

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

It'll be a little bit of an uphill climb for Cowing this offseason. There's not really a role for him just yet, but he'll get an opportunity to earn playing time over players like Bell and Conley. He's probably going to be limited to working out of the slot as a pro because of his 5-8, 168-pound frame. It's also unclear just how much he'll be able to contribute on special teams. If he can be an adequate offensive option with upside as a kick or punt returner he'll make a move up the depth chart.

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The 2022 undrafted receiver has played in three games across his two NFL seasons. His special teams contributions make him a likely practice squad candidate again, but there'll be chances for him to move up and snag a roster spot from a player like Bell or Conley.

Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

The path up on the depth chart for Taylor is probably reliant on his ability to fill in at receiver, something he hasn't done much since catching 43 passes in 2017 as a rookie. In 63 games since then he has only 44 catches, including just eight in three seasons with the Bengals. Taylor is a reliable punt returner, but that alone may not be enough to get him up over some of the other players who offer more versatile skill sets.

Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports

It's not a good sign for Gray that he was never activated off injured reserve last season. It's also not a good sign that the 49ers drafted two WRs, one of which (Cowing) fills a similar speed role. There's a steep climb to a roster spot for the 2022 third-round pick.

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