When the 49ers report for training camp in late July, most rookies will be eager to compete for a roster spot in September.
DeAndre Smelter, however, is looking to the future. This year, he’s likely to be a bystander, recovering from injury, learning and preparing to make his mark when he gets his chance.
Smelter, a 6-foot-2, 226-pound wide receiver from Georgia Tech, tore his ACL last December, ending his college career. Still, the 49ers like his potential so much that they used a fourth-round pick on him.
At Georgia Tech, Smelter was a big, physical target. He had 56 catches over two seasons for 1,060 yards and 11 touchdowns He averaged a whopping 18.9 yards per reception.
Niners general manager Trent Baalke believes Smelter could be a player with big upside. He noted that Smelter is big, tough, has long arms and amazing pass-catching mitts.
“He’s got huge hands,” Baalke told Bay Area reporters. “Size 11 hands.” That’s 3½ inches more than the average adult male hand size of 7½ inches.
NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah said recently that he believes that the 49ers may be well rewarded for their patience. He said Smelter could be a star once he gets back on the field.
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“I love him,” Jeremiah told a reporter for the 49ers website. “When you watch him on tape early in the year last year, he’s competitive and just tough, physical after the catch. It’s ironic because you see a little bit of Anquan Boldin in him. Anquan plays the game very angry, which is a positive. He attacks the football, is tough after the catch and hard to bring down.
“They don’t throw the ball a lot at Georgia Tech, but when he got his opportunities, he created a lot on his own. That toughness and playmaking ability will show out when he makes his recovery.”
