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5 Players Who Will Compete for Third Wide Receiver Position At San Francisco 49ers Training Camp

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Ezra Shaw - Getty Images

5 Players Who Will Compete for Third Wide Receiver Position At San Francisco 49ers Training Camp

Bruce Ellington, Anquan Boldin, Quinton Patton
Ezra Shaw - Getty Images

The San Francisco 49ers finally have a deep core of wide receiving to choose from this offseason. With Anquan Boldin and Torrey Smith as virtual lock-ins for starting this fall, the question now becomes: who will be slotted into the third wide receiver position? Here are five receivers who have a chance at winning the third wide receiver spot in 2015.

5. Dres Anderson

San Francisco 49ers, Dres Anderson
Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

5. Dres Anderson

San Francisco 49ers, Dres Anderson
Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

Dres Anderson is quickly emerging as a favorite to win the third wide receiver spot due to his deep-threat ability and mid-range speed. The rookie suffered an MCL tear last October, but feels 100 percent since OTAs. Anderson posted 53 receptions for 1,002 yards and four TDs during his seven games before the injury. He will need a few years of growth before taking the field in 2015 and will need to spend a few years on the practice squad.

4. DeAndrew White

Alabama Crimson Tide, Deandrew White
Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

4. DeAndrew White

Alabama Crimson Tide, Deandrew White
Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Undrafted free agent DeAndrew White shined during OTAs and has since been a rising star within the organization. While under Amari Cooper's shadow at Alabama, White reeled in 40 receptions for 504 yards and four touchdowns last year. Like Anderson, White is a long shot to win the position, but he has a very good chance of making the 53-man roster, if not the practice squad, this season.

3. Bruce Ellington

San Francisco 49ers, Bruce Ellington
Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports

3. Bruce Ellington

San Francisco 49ers, Bruce Ellington
Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports

Second-year player Bruce Ellington got his first shot at contributing late last season and flashed some serious potential. The former fourth-round pick caught six receptions for 62 yards and two touchdowns in 2014. Ellington looked to be a shoe-in for third wide receiver, until a mild hamstring injury limited him during OTAs. If he can remain healthy through training camp, the speedy receiver will have the best chance of landing the position.

2. Jerome Simpson

Minnesota Vikings, Jerome Simpson
Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

2. Jerome Simpson

Minnesota Vikings, Jerome Simpson
Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

Jerome Simpson has tremendous speed and talent, but has a colorful history that raises red flags. Sitting out of the 2014 regular season due to legal issues, the 29-year-old receiver is now looking for a fresh start with the 49ers and hopes to get his career back on track this fall. Simpson possess an immense amount of talent and speed, which makes him the prefect candidate to stretch the field.

1. Quinton Patton

San Francisco 49ers, Quinton Patton
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

1. Quinton Patton

San Francisco 49ers, Quinton Patton
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Former 2013 fourth-round draft pick Quinton Patton is the team's longest tenured wide receiver next to Anquan Boldin. Patton has been plagued by injuries for most of his career and has contributed little in his two years with the 49ers. The 24-year-old receiver is finally healthy and is playing with new purpose this year. He had a great outing during OTAs and hopes to carry that over to training camp this summer.

James Forsythe is a 49ers Beat Writer at www.RantSports.com. You can Follow him on Twitter @9erJim or add him to your network on Google.

James Forsythe is a writer for RantSports.
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