This 49ers Starter Will Be the First to Lose His Job in 2020

The San Francisco 49ers managed to have one of the most interesting passing attacks in the NFL last year, and they did so without a true No. 1 wide receiver.

On of the many 49ers who took turns filling that role was former undrafted free agent Kendrick Bourne, who recorded 358 yards and five touchdowns last year. Bourne, now the No. 2 receiver behind Deebo Samuel, might be penciled in as a starter in 2020, but he could be on the verge of losing his job.

The 49ers traded a multitude of picks to move up in the draft and select Arizona State's Brandon Aiyuk, a slippery, dynamic slot receiver who's expected to assume the WR2 role. While he's raw, the 49ers have a lot invested in him, and Kyle Shanahan can put him in the right positions to succeed.

San Francisco also has some big names returning from injury. Zippy 5-8 receiver Trent Taylor, who was productive under Shanahan in 2017 and 2018, is back in the lineup, as is former third-round pick and converted running back Jalen Hurd. Both of them will take targets away from Bourne.

While Bourne has been a solid contributor over the last three seasons, the 49ers clearly aren't convinced he could hold down the WR2 job, which prompted the Aiyuk selection. Bourne's playing time could be severely reduced in 2020 should he fail to break out.