Receptions – Deebo Samuel
There are a lot of mouths to feed in the 49ers’ passing attack, but Samuel’s versatility and big-play potential should ensure he has a consistent role.
He showed his ability to win contested catches on a deep ball in the first preseason game. However, it is on the short and intermediate throws where he is likely to do most of the damage.
Hand in his face but it didn’t matter.
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) August 11, 2019
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The Kyle Shanahan offense is ideally suited for receivers who can get open over the middle and pick up yardage after the catch.
That is something Samuel proved adept at in college, and his duplicity in being able to play the boundary and the slot should earn him enough snaps to lead the pass-catching stakes despite the high targets George Kittle and Dante Pettis will command.
Receiving yards – Terry McLaurin
Samuel has a genuine case to be considered the favorite in this regard as well with his skills as a downfield receiver and ability with ball in hand.
But McLaurin established himself as one of college football’s best downfield threats at Ohio State. He averaged 20 yards a reception in 2018 and will have little competition on a mediocre Redskins receiving corps to stop him racking up significant yardage.
Case Keenum will start the year as Washington’s quarterback. How long that likely fruitless experiment lasts remains to be seen and, if and when Dwayne Haskins takes over, McLaurin will see his chances of a huge rookie season skyrocket given the rapport they developed in Columbus.
Receiving TDs – JJ Arcega Whiteside
It is important not to put too much stock into preseason, particularly games missing as many starters as the Eagles’ game with the Ravens did.
However, it is also tough not to view Arcega-Whiteside’s performance as a sign of things to come.
He caught eight of his nine targets and had 104 yards and a touchdown. Arcega-Whiteside made numerous big plays and excelled at getting open over the middle.
Per Kevin Patra of NFL.com, 50 of his yards came after the catch. Arcega-Whiteside’s agility and ability with the ball in his hands were underrated going into the draft, but he is now showing himself to be a complete receiver.
With his upside as a downfield weapon and size that gives him a natural advantage in the red zone, Arcega-Whiteside has all the tools to overcome a likely lowly position on the depth chart and become a rookie scoring machine.