Installing a fresh offensive system under a new regime with few established veterans on offense, the 49ers expect plenty of competition on that side of the ball in 2016.
Wide receiver Quinton Patton sees it as a chance to prove himself.
"There’s a lot of opportunity out there with Coach (Chip) Kelly coming in with his offense, and the offense slinging the ball around," Patton told 104.5 The Zone in Nashville.
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"There’s a lot of competition out there to make plays . . . I just go to practice and we run. I wouldn’t say a lot more running, but it’s more uptempo."
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Patton this season will be entering his fourth year in the NFL after being drafted 128th overall by the 49ers in 2013.
The Louisiana Tech product, who lists at 6-foot-0, 204 pounds, has just 30 career receptions on 57 targets and one regular-season touchdown over three seasons.
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Patton started four games in 2015 after starting zero the two years prior. He had career high in receiving yards in 2015 with 394.
"I had an alright year," the pass-catcher said when asked about last season. "Still missed some plays out there, but (you) can’t get them back. (You) just build on them."
When asked about the quarterback competition between Colin Kaepernick and Blaine Gabbert, Patton said: "I got respect for all the quarterbacks that are back there, and whichever one’s back there, my routes are going to be the same.
"I just run my routes."
With 472 career yards, does Patton feel the pressure to perform in a contract year?
"I really try not to think about it a lot. I just keep on playing like I’ve been playing and everything will take care of itself," the receiver said.