49ers bolster their WR room after speedy deep threat chooses San Francisco over an AFC North contender

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Feb 11, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling (11) makes a catch for a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers during the third quarter of Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium.
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

It has been an offseason to forget for the San Francisco 49ers’ skill positions. With injuries plaguing the WR corps and RB room, the team has been active in the trade department.

Now, they add a deep threat via free agency.

Marquez Valdes-Scantling chooses 49ers over Steelers

“Valdes-Scantling was actually a pleasant surprise most of the time for New Orleans last season. With a wide receiver room ravaged by injuries, MVS stepped up as the top deep threat on the team. He totaled 385 receiving yards, his most since 2022. He also scored four touchdowns, his most since 2020.

” . . .While this isn’t a flashy addition for SF, his ability to make plays downfield will be useful for the 49ers offense that will be without Brandon Aiyuk and other depth wideouts, possibly Jauan Jennings, to start the season. Not to mention, he will have some extra motivation against division rival Seattle since they just cut him.”

– Adam Holt, A to Z Sports New Orleans

The forgotten part might be that the MVS chose the 49ers over the Pittsburgh Steelers. One could argue that the 49ers offer a higher ceiling than Pittsburgh, but he passed on the familiarity with his former quarterback of the Green Bay Packers (Aaron Rodgers), to go to a 49ers team that is ravaged by injury in the WR corps.

As Adam stated, Brandon Aiyuk is still rehabbing from his knee injury, and Jauan Jennings is still in search of a new contract. The addition of his former teammate, Skyy Moore, via a recent trade shouldn’t limit his targets too much, and he offers something entirely different in terms of skill set.

With MVS, you’re likely to get two things: a TD or a dropped pass. Throughout his career, he has averaged a whopping 17.4 yards per reception. So when he catches the ball, you can expect a big play; it’s just a question of whether he will catch it.