Add another team to the list of Dede Westbrook suitors. Josina Anderson reports (via Twitter) that the free agent wideout had “preliminary communication” with the 49ers.
It’s been just about seven months since Westbrook suffered his torn ACL, and Anderson notes that the player is expecting to be fully cleared by the eight-month mark. That means Westbrook should be good to go for the beginning of training camp.
Westbrook recorded 66 grabs in both 2018 and 2019 for an average of 699 yards and four touchdowns per slate. He was hoping to build on those marks in 2020, but he was limited to only a pair of games thanks to the torn ACL and an unrelated early-season injury. We heard earlier this month that the wideout was drawing interest from multiple teams, and we later learned that the Bengals and Vikings were among his potential suitors. The wide receiver was also being recruited by Chiefs players.
The 49ers have used plenty of draft capital on wideouts in recent years, and former first-rounder Brandon Aiyuk and former second-rounder Deebo Samuel are expected to lead the depth chart. Westbrook would likely have to compete with the likes of Mohamed Sanu, Richie James, and Jalen Hurd for backup reps.
The 49ers need to go grab him up. They desperately need some more depth at the WR position, especiallynwith Deebo, Aiyuk, and Hurd all suffering through injuries for at least a part of last season..
Westbrook would slot in great behind SMuek and Aiyuk, and would potentially be a treat compliment to their passing attack, especially if Hurd can stay healthy as well and attack dedenses from that big slot position Kyle likes to utilize..
So 49ers got one former jag cut him now want another? Is there any former jag they don’t want??
Gotta be the dumbest comment I’ve ever read here. Congrats dude
Why the Lions haven’t been in contact with this guy is beyond me.
Westbrook seemed to have a great connection with Bortles as QB. When Minshew and Foles came in the offense deviated away from Westbrook entirely, before his injury trouble. Of course Bortles did not work out, but Westbrook should be able to contribute for some other team. His catch and run ability seems to be a good fit to me for what Shanahan wants out of his receivers; the 9ers have for the last few years favored undersized shifty guys who can get open underneath, and Westbrook has good speed if they should want to send him deeper. He’ll undoubtedly be cheap as well. I could see this being a decent fit for what the 9ers like to do.