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Free-agent acquisition Marquise Goodwin could compete with Ellington (hamstring) and Jeremy Kerley for playing time in the slot, CSN Bay Area reports.
Ellington entered 2016 with a shot to emerge as a crucial part of the San Francisco passing game out of the slot, but a hamstring injury landed him on injured reserve prior to Week 1. Kerley joined the team shortly thereafter and ended up leading the 49ers in catches (64), receiving yards (667) and targets (115) while primarily working from the slot. Despite his large role last season, Kerley's inefficient production on a per-target basis could leave the slot job open for competition heading into the offseason program. If so, Ellington and Marquise Goodwin could both make a push, though the latter actually may be ticketed for an outside role. Pierre Garcon is locked in as one of the outside starters, with Goodwin, Aldrick Robinson and Aaron Burbridge (among others) all potentially in the mix for the other spot. Garcon is the only sure bet to have a key role in the passing game.
