San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Danny Gray (86) - Santiago Mejia/ The Chronicle
The 2024 NFL season is right around the corner and there is one San Francisco 49ers wide receiver who may only have one more opportunity to get his chance with the team. Third-year wide receiver, Danny Gray is the player who has to prove himself this year, or his time with the Niners may be over. Here is a look at why this is the year for him to prove himself, and how it has come to this point.
49ers Wide Receiver Danny Gray
In the 2022 NFL Draft, Gray was drafted in the third round with the 105th overall pick by the 49ers. Ahead of the 2022 regular season, there were glimmers of hope for Gray, starting in the preseason. In the 2022 pre-season, Trey Lance passed the ball to Gray, resulting in a 76-yard touchdown. The video of the passing touchdown can be watched here on the San Francisco 49ers website. Although it was just the preseason, this pass had fans excited for the potential of the duo.
2022 was meant to be the first year with Lance starting for the San Francisco 49ers. With that, the team was looking for a speedy receiver to be a deep threat for the young quarterback. While things may not have worked out for Lance, the team has also not seen much of Gray either.
It should be noted that the top three receivers for the 49ers are Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, and Jauan Jennings. With all of the other offensive threats on the team, depth receivers may not always be seen, but they are always needed. Between injuries, needed rests on a couple of reps, and special teams, depth receivers will see the field. The 49ers always keep about six or seven wide receivers on the 53-man roster. Gray has not really had the chance to shine, but he also could not take advantage of the opportunities presented to him.
Gray never played throughout the 2023 season. He sustained a shoulder injury heading into the season which kept him out for the entire year. In 2022, Gray was targeted seven times and he had just one reception for ten yards, according to Pro Football Reference. This is not enough to assume that he will make the 53-man roster this year.
Danny Gray’s Collegiate Career
Before joining the San Francisco 49ers, Gray played football for the SMU Mustangs. He was at SMU for two years. In those two seasons, Gray had 82 receptions for 1,252 yards and 13 touchdowns, according to Sports Reference. Before his time at SMU, he played at Blinn College. Following his time at SMU, Gray declared for the 2022 NFL Draft.
Between Aiyuk and Samuel, the 49ers were not in desperate need of a starting receiver, but Gray’s speed impressed. At the 2022 NFL Combine, Gray ran a 4.33. This led to San Francisco taking him in the third round of the draft.
How does the 49ers Wide Receiver Get a Spot?
Now why is this worth talking about? This year will likely be Gray’s last opportunity to make the 53-man roster. The 49ers have a lot of receivers that can make solid depth and it will be competitive to make the final cut. One way Gray can take advantage is possibly as a punt or kick returner. Former returner, Ray-Ray McCloud is now with the Atlanta Falcons. This means the 49ers are looking for a new return man. Ronnie Bell did take over while McCloud was out, but he muffed one of the punts. The 49ers will keep up the competition for the return man this year. There are also the new kick return rules coming into play this year. While Samuel is making a push to do some returns, perhaps this is where Gray’s speed can come in handy.
Gray has been a full participant in training camp so far this year. He missed his opportunity in 2022 but has a chance to prove himself this year. It will be a competition with players such as Bell, Trent Taylor, and others, but he has a chance to compete. This is his third year in the league though, and may be his last shot.
The San Francisco 49ers will play their first 2024 pre-season game on August 10th against the Tennessee Titans. Assuming Gray plays, this will be his first chance to show he can make a difference in a game.
