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49ers Twitter Mailbag: How is the receiving corps shaping up?

It’s vacation season, but before we hit the golf course and sandy beaches we’ll answer your questions in another edition of our Tuesday Twitter mailbag.

It was clear when the 49ers traded up in Round 2 for Pettis that Robinson might get placed on the wrong side of the numbers game. After all, their skill sets are somewhat redundant. They can both play multiple receiver spots, including in the slot, but Pettis has the clear advantage on special teams. He set the NCAA record with nine punt return touchdowns during his four seasons at Washington. Robinson is entering the last year of his two-year contract he signed last spring.

I had Robinson getting cut in our latest 53-man roster projection following the recent minicamp. I gave the nod to Kendrick Bourne and Aaron Burbridge to round out the receiving corps.

Burbridge is a surprising name, to be sure, but I was swayed by how many reps he received with the first-team offense last week while Goodwin, Taylor and Pettis missed time with minor injuries. Burbridge is arguably one of the team’s best special teams players, which could make him a valuable piece on the margins of the roster.

I do think James will end up being a good pick for Round 7 of the draft. But it doesn’t appear he brings much on special teams at the moment, which means it would be hard to justify a spot on the active 46-man roster on game days. That’s where Burbridge has the clear advantage. However, that could change with an injury.

Taylor had surgery last month to remove bone spurs from his lower back. If his absence lingers into training camp – or reoccurs at any point, James might have a better shot at making the team. He seems poised for a spot on the practice squad otherwise.

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