Why 49ers’ Kyle Shanahan is Right for Believing the Answers at Receiver is in Their Building

With all of the rumors regarding the San Francisco 49ers being in the market for a wide receiver, Kyle Shanahan believes the answers are already in the building.

Last Sunday against the Washington Redksins was yet again another underwhelming performance by the 49ers’ wide receivers. This string of low-level performances by this group is why so many fans and media people alike believe the San Francisco 49ers should be in the market for a receiver. 

However, Kyle Shanahan does not believe that to be the case. Yesterday during his presser, Shanahan was asked about the urgency to trade for a receiver and answered, “I mean, I think less than we’ve had in the last couple of years because I do see that there are guys in our building that I do think the answers are here”

As it stands, the 49ers have been linked to a move for Broncos wide reciever Emmanuel Sanders via Adam Schefter of ESPN. Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch are simply doing their due diligence to see what the market is for Sanders. Regardless of their interest, Kyle Shanahan is right for believing that the answers at wide receiver is in their building. 

A part of why people are hammering the 49ers to trade for a receiver stems from the matchup with Washington. Given the weather conditions of that game, it wouldn’t have mattered who they had at receiver. That is exactly why Shanahan is right about the wide receiver position. 

His offense is not dependent nor reliant of a No. 1 wideout. If the 49ers acquire someone, they are not all of a sudden going to skew their offense towards passing. That isn’t how Shanahan’s offense works. It utilizes the tight ends and running backs with the receivers as complimentary pieces. What they are doing right now is making them one of the more efficient passing offenses in the league.

That is despite the underwhelming numbers on the stat sheet. We mustn't get too caught up at evaluating the wide receivers of the 49ers by the box score. One glance at it will have us believing there is a desperate need, when the reality of the situation is that the need isn't drastic. 

Once again, Kyle Shanahan's offense is not meant to use the passing game for receiver heavily, especially to one single target. 

Now that is not to say they shouldn't make a move for a wide receiver. If there is an opportunity to improve the team, then the 49ers should make it. However, they are not going to give up so much when the need isn't that glaring as it seems to be. 

Take the interest for Emmanuel Sanders as an example. There are a bunch of teams in the market for him, which is going to put his value very high. The 49ers will not and should not give up the draft capital for just a rental in that sense. If a player is there for the right price, then they will pull the trigger. Unfortunately, these big named receivers are going to attract teams like a piece of cheese to a pack of mice. 

San Francisco is better off staying away and awaiting for their own reinforcements. Let’s not forget that Trent Taylor, who was the most raved about receiver in training camp, is set to return in the coming weeks. David Lombardi of The Athletic brilliantly illustrates the impact of Taylor paired up with Jimmy Garoppolo.

I wrote about Trent Taylor this camp. The chart I made is relevant now. When Taylor has been healthy and paired with a Garoppolo, he’s been a top slot. Small sample? Maybe. But enough to consider when evaluating the 49ers’ negotiating position in a potential WR market: pic.twitter.com/j5Cu77Fobb

— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) October 21, 2019

Sure, it is a small sample size, but we have no reason to believe that these two won't have a similar connection as before. Rookie receiver Jalen Hurd is also eligible to return soon. Hur will instantly be one of the most versatile players on the offense if he is one of the players activated. With all things considered, it is pointless for the San Francisco 49ers to give up high draft pick or a haul of picks for a rental. 

The way this offense is designed runs through the running game and tight ends, with the receivers as the complimentary pieces. Every group on offense is a collective unit, which is why they are so dynamic. Having a No. 1 receiver is not a necessity for a team to make a Super Bowl run. I know it feels like the 49ers have to, but unless the price is fair, then the 49ers will stay where they are.