The 49ers need wide receiver help. Here are 31 options, from most likely to least

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Editor’s note: On Wednesday evening, the 49ers agreed to a trade with the Chiefs to acquire wide receiver Skyy Moore, sending Kansas City a 2027 sixth-round pick and receiving a 2027 seventh-round pick. The move does not necessarily take San Francisco out of the market for another wide receiver at the cutdown deadline.

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The San Francisco 49ers are poised to go shopping following the NFL’s cutdown deadline Tuesday, and wide receiver is in bold at the top of their list.

Three of the team’s top six players at the position — Brandon Aiyuk, Demarcus Robinson and Jordan Watkins — aren’t expected to be available for Week 1, while the other three — Jauan Jennings, Ricky Pearsall and Jacob Cowing — have dealt with injuries at some point this summer. Cowing missed Wednesday’s practice with a hamstring injury, and Pearsall appeared to narrowly avoid injury after a collision in the end zone.

Which players might be available when teams trim their rosters from 90 to 53 players? We asked beat writers from coast to coast to name the best wideout their team could cut on Tuesday. There’s no guarantee all of the names below will be available to sign or claim off waivers, but all are on or near their squad’s roster bubble. San Francisco is also monitoring the trade market, The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reported.

We’ve divided the list into four groups, ranging from players who would at least grab San Francisco’s attention to those who are no better than the current 49ers receivers, whom they could likely land on their practice squad. All 31 teams are listed.

Persons of interest

Kendrick Bourne, New England Patriots: This will be the name that most excites 49ers fans — and perhaps head coach Kyle Shanahan — given Bourne’s productive four-year tenure in San Francisco. He also had his most prolific season (800 yards and five touchdowns) with Mac Jones and the Patriots in 2021. It’s easy to envision a scenario in which Jennings and Pearsall begin the season as the starters with Bourne playing out of the slot. Bourne, 30, could be the odd man out should New England go with a younger core at the position. Could the 49ers trade for Bourne if the Patriots don’t release him? They might look at that closer to the trade deadline when the team’s murky receiver outlook is clearer.

Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Seattle Seahawks: New offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak likes Valdes-Scantling, with whom he also worked in New Orleans. The question is whether the 30-year-old veteran will be happy with a backup role in the Seahawks’ receiving corps. If not, Seattle could release him, making him a candidate in San Francisco. Valdez-Scantling still has deep speed, as shown by his 22.6-yard receiving average last season, and he’d be able to quickly step into the 49ers’ offensive system given his background with Kubiak. Other Seahawks who could be available include Dareke Young and perhaps special teams ace Jake Bobo.

Dante Pettis, New Orleans Saints: Before you freak out, Shanahan loved Pettis’ route-running ability. He wasn’t as happy with the 2018 second-round pick’s toughness, which is why Pettis was cut midway through 2020. Like the players listed above, Pettis would be able to get up to speed quickly given his background with Shanahan and Kubiak (2024 Saints). He also returns punts. Veteran Donovan Peoples-Jones could also be available.

Curtis Samuel, Buffalo Bills: There’s at least some chance the oft-injured Samuel will be available in some form — via trade or release — over the next week. Though he’s underachieved since arriving in Buffalo last year, the 49ers might like his versatility, including being able to take snaps at tailback.

Robert Woods, Pittsburgh Steelers: Woods’ numbers have steadily dropped since he had a 1,134-yard season with the Rams in 2019. However, the 33-year-old would be familiar with the offense, having spent five seasons under Shanahan lieutenant Sean McVay and two under another, Bobby Slowik (Houston, 2023-24). Woods could be a reliable bridge until Robinson and Aiyuk return.

Definitely maybe

Malachi Corley, New York Jets: The 49ers hosted Corley on a pre-draft visit last year, and he was drafted in the third round by Robert Saleh’s Jets. He remains raw as a receiver, but his ability to break tackles will remind some of Deebo Samuel. Another one-time Saleh favorite, Xavier Gipson, could also be available.

Courtney Jackson, Denver Broncos: Like Corley, Jackson is a developmental player, though one with special teams value along with impressive quickness. The rookie ran a 4.38-second 40 — with a 1.5-second 10-yard split — in the run up to the draft.

Mitchell Tinsley, Cincinnati Bengals: Tinsley made a splash on national television Monday with five catches for 73 yards and two touchdowns. The question now is whether the Bengals keep him, cut him or try to trade him.

MITCHELL TINSLEY HAVE A DAY!!!! #CINvsWAS on @espn pic.twitter.com/Q7g5xFOKlf

— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) August 19, 2025

Justin Watson, Houston Texans: He’s never been prolific, but Watson, 29, has 21 starts (including playoffs) for the Chiefs over the last three seasons. He also had 54 receiving yards against the 49ers in the 2023 Super Bowl.

Ronnie Bell, Detroit Lions: Yes, yes, yes — we know his stint in San Francisco didn’t go swimmingly (see: 2024 game at Los Angeles Rams). Bell knows all three receiver positions, though, and could get up to speed quickly.

Jalen Reagor, Los Angeles Chargers: He’s the most experienced — 27 career starts — of the Chargers who might be available. Another possibility: Brenden Rice, son of Jerry. If Rice replaced Terique Owens as a 49ers developmental receiver, it would be … poetic.

Trey Palmer, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Receivers who run 4.33 40s at 6-foot-1 don’t grow on trees. Veteran Sterling Shepard also might be available next week.

Diontae Johnson, Cleveland Browns: Johnson, who once had 107 catches in a single season, is on his fifth different team in the past 18 months and is expected to be cut. If he is available, the 49ers would have to ask why the talent-starved Browns — and several other teams — didn’t retain him.

Practice squad, perhaps

Skyy Moore, Kansas City Chiefs: The 2022 second-round pick could be available due to a lack of production this summer, coupled with a crowded Chiefs receiving corps. (Update: The 49ers acquired Moore in a trade Wednesday evening.)

David Moore, Carolina Panthers: He’s a journeyman who’s been dependable wherever he’s been.

Ryan Flournoy, Dallas Cowboys: Good speed plus good size make him a worthy developmental prospect.

Tyler Scott, Chicago Bears: A 2023 fourth-round pick who had 17 catches as a rookie but just one last season, Scott also has return-man skills.

Terrace Marshall Jr., Philadelphia Eagles: The 49ers had Marshall on their practice squad for a month and a half last year.

River Cracraft, Washington Commanders: Having played for the 49ers and Dolphins in the past, he’d be dependable on an as-needed basis.

Xavier Smith, Los Angeles Rams: Smith’s 38-yard punt return against the 49ers in Week 3 last year set up his team’s game-winning field goal. His time with the Rams signals he’d be able to mesh quickly with the 49ers’ offense.

Malik Heath, Green Bay Packers: He’s been a fill-in over his career, but he’s got good size (6-3, 213) and is familiar with the type of offensive system the 49ers run.

Laquon Treadwell, Indianapolis Colts: He’s a big-bodied receiver who always seems to latch on to a roster. The 49ers hosted him on a pre-draft visit way back in 2016.

Thanks, but it’s a pass

David Sills V, Atlanta Falcons

Lucky Jackson, Minnesota Vikings

Tejhaun Palmer, Arizona Cardinals

Anthony Miller, Baltimore Ravens

Phillip Dorsett, Las Vegas Raiders

James Proche, Tennessee Titans

Lil’Jordan Humphrey, New York Giants

Erik Ezukanma, Miami Dolphins

Trenton Irwin, Jacksonville Jaguars

(Photo of Kendrick Bourne: Maddie Meyer / Getty Images)

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