49ers Signing Travis Benjamin is a Laughable Move if San Fran Actually Wants to Use Him in Offense
By Will Coleman
After missing out on the chance to sign Emmanuel Sanders to a fresh contract, the San Francisco 49ers are left with another pedestrian wide receiver group. Sure, they have tight end George Kittle, but San Fran's depth at receiver past Deebo Samuel and Marquise Goodwin just isn't there.
The 49ers could have made an effort to replace Sanders and his veteran presence with an experienced playmaker, but instead they settled for wide receiver and return man Travis Benjamin.
The #49ers are signing former #Browns and #Chargers WR/PR Travis Benjamin to a 1-year deal, per @RapSheet.
— NFL Update (@MySportsUpdate) March 24, 2020
Arguably the best part of this deal is that it's just for one season. San Francisco will likely stash him as an emergency option, but deep down, they know they'll be able to make use of his speed at some point or another.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan got to know him when they overlapped in Cleveland in 2014, not long before Benjamin's short-lived stint as a reliable target with the Browns and Chargers. The 49ers could obviously still use some help at the position, so Benjamin's signing is insurance in case they can't add a receiver they like in the draft.
These are all bargain bin, one-year signings for the 49ers. Fans shouldn’t make too much out of them. Kyle Shanahan coached Travis Benjamin, who can add some slot depth, in Cleveland and the 49ers will still almost certainly gun for a quality wideout in the draft https://t.co/NGPZJ2X48h
— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) March 24, 2020
San Francisco didn't have that potent of an offense this time last year, and they ultimately made a run to the Super Bowl. The 49ers are living proof that you don't need a star-studded receiving corps to have success in the NFL, but eventually, they'll have to make a move or two that gives their offense a new look.
Benjamin, at this point in his career, is mostly sizzle.