The San Francisco 49ers are not resting on their laurels after making the Super Bowl last season. Despite housing one of the most well-rounded rosters in the NFL, San Francisco is showing interest in a longtime NFL wide receiver weeks before the start of the 2024 NFL draft. According to The Athletic, the 49ers are eying former Cincinnati Bengals wideout Tyler Boyd in free agency.
The NFC West club is not the only one attracted to Boyd’s services. According to reports, the Miami Dolphins, Kansas City Chiefs, and Detroit Lions, among others, are also interested in Boyd. The Chiefs could become the front runners for Boyd after standout rookie wide receiver Rashee Rice got into legal trouble over the weekend.
Boyd, the 55th pick in the 2016 NFL draft, has spent his eight-year professional career with the Cincinnati Bengals. After mainly playing a reserve role during his first two seasons, he snagged 76 passes for 1,028 yards and seven scores in 2018. He posted career numbers the following year, registering 90 receptions for 1,046 yards and five scores. The Pittsburgh product tallied at least 58 receptions and 760 receiving yards each season from 2020 to 2022.
However, Boyd took a step back in 2023, playing behind fellow wideouts Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Boyd finished last season with 67 receptions but only 667 yards and two scores. His best game of the 2023 campaign came against the Houston Texans in Week 10, when he snagged eight passes for 117 yards
The San Francisco 49ers are fresh off a 12-5 season, winning the NFC before falling to the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl. Quarterback Brock Purdy posted 4,280 passing yards for 31 touchdowns against 11 picks. Purdy leaned heavily on the receiving duo of Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel. Aiyuk posted 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns while Samuel had 60 receptions for 892 yards and seven scores.
However, no other receiver had received more than 300 yards. Jauan Jennings and Ray-Ray McCloud combined for just 400 receiving yards and one score. Boyd would be a welcome addition to head coach Kyle Shanahan and his offense. Boyd would likely be the full-time third receiver in an already high-powered offense.
