49ers Blog and Q&A

The 49ers are a team that likes to run the ball and yet has seven wide receivers on its active roster - three of whom were inactive in Houston. But the team is eying only four of those receivers to be the core group for the future.

The No. 1 guy is obvious. When you use a No. 10 draft pick on a receiver, it's clear you envision that receiver as your top option for many years to come. Michael Crabtree solidified that status by starting Sunday's game in Houston and playing more snaps than his receiver mates. Crabtree's debut came late, but it was a promising opening act in what the 49ers hope is a long performance.

Who will play opposite Crabtree in the future? The crystal-ball look at the No. 2 receiver is a little fuzzier. It could be one of three players, Brandon Jones, Josh Morgan and Jason Hill. Right now Jones and Hill are in the same boat. Both fell to the bottom of the team's depth chart due to injuries this offseason and both have had a tough time climbing back because A.) The 49ers don't have a lot of use for receivers and B.) There is a certain reverence on the coaching staff for Isaac Bruce.

Jones, signed through 2013, is the best deep threat on the team, something he showed in the offseason. Jimmy Raye's offense needs a deep threat in order to tick. He had them in Kansas City when, in 2000, Derrick Alexander averaged nearly 18 yards a catch and had 10 touchdowns. You'll recall that in 2007 then-Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan confided to Mike Nolan that the Ravens were worried about Ashley Lelie's speed at receiver. That is, nothing gives defenses pause like a deep threat. Jones also seemed to have a nice rapport with Alex Smith before Jones broke his shoulder in early August. If Smith rises to the occasion and becomes the quarterback of the future, a Smith-Jones pairing would seem to make sense. Finally, Jones was signed to a hefty free-agent contract in March, which ought to provide more pressure to get him on the field in the future.

Hill is signed through 2010. He was a third-round pick in 2007 who had a hard time getting on the playing field early in his career despite no standouts - Darrell Jackson, Lelie, Brian Gilmore - ahead of him on the depth chart. Injuries finally gave Hill an opportunity late last season, and he made the most of it, finishing with 30 receptions in the last nine games. Hill thought he had proven himself to the coaching staff, but when he was slowed by hamstring issues in the preseason, he fell to the bottom of the depth chart again. Indeed, staying healthy next spring and summer will be pivotal for Hill, who will be playing in his contract season. Hill is perhaps the most versatile of the group of four, but he was particularly effective playing the slot last season.

It would seem that Morgan, signed through 2011, has the edge to be the No. 2 receiver, considering he has started every game this season. Morgan easily can slide over to Bruce's spot, flanker, and he has a nice combination of size and speed. Morgan is the strongest of all the team's wideouts, a real asset on a power-running team. But Morgan has been inconsistent and the 49ers are not convinced he will ultimately be the best option next to Crabtree. They will continue to allow him to develop this season and the hope, ironically, is that Crabtree's tenacity will wear off on Morgan, who is a year ahead of him. Perhaps the best thing that Morgan has going for him - he has withstood the ticky tacky pulls and sprains that have slowed the development of other young players.

As for the other three receivers, Bruce is entering the final year of a two-year deal and likely will not be asked back. Arnaz Battle also is reaching the end of his deal. There might be a push from the coaching staff to keep him around, but there are other teams that might want him more. Micheal Spurlock's role on the team has been minimal after Jimmy Raye put the "Taser" back in its holster. Spurlock would appear to be in a precarious spot if the team makes a roster move.

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Am in the middle of a fascinating book on FDR, which goes into detail about his famous fireside chats. Join me for a 49ers fireside chat at 11 a.m. today in which I try to reassure a troubled Niners nation that everything will be ok. The only thing we have to fear is ... the continuation of Raye's bland offense. Click here for the chat.

-- Matt Barrows