Matt Maiocco of CBS Bay Areaย doesn’t consider veteran WR Stevie Johnson a “lock” to make the 49ers 53-man rosterย as of now.
“With a $3.65 million base salary,ย [Johnson]ย must have a good camp to justify the 49ers awarding him the No. 3 role over one of the younger players,” Maiocco writes.
The 49ers sent the Billsย a conditional 2015 fourth-round pick in return for Johnson, so it seemed likeย a given thatย Johnson would be able toย secure No. 3 receiver position during the offseas. However, it appears as though he still has some work to do before the idea can completely be ruled out.
Maiocco hasย Anquan Boldin, Michael Crabtree, Bruce Ellington and Quinton Patton down as “locks” to make the team, which should come as no surprise. Beyond them, the 49ers haveย Brandon Lloyd, Devon Wylie, Kassim Osgood, Jon Baldwin, Chuck Jacobs and David Reed ย spots. all competing for roster
Johnson, 27, is currentlyย entering the third season of hisย five-year, $36.25 million contract and will makeย $3.65 million for the 2014 season.
San Francisco could free upย $3.925 million in cap space by releasing Johnson, according to OverTheCap.com.
Johnson played in 12 games for the Bills this season where he caught 52 passes for 597 yards and three touchdowns.ย Pro Football Focusย gave Johnson a positive rating in 2013, but it was still only good enough for No. 54 overall among qualifying receivers.
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