Quinton

Patton

Route running was supposed to be Patton’s bread and butter, but he showed poorly on patterns at 49ers rookie camp. He tends to get a bit anxious and will tip his routes. It’s a flaw that can be coached up, so it’s not a long-term concern. Patton should compete for No. 3 receiver duties as a rookie.

Patton was extremely productive for small-school Louisiana Tech, but does not have imposing size (6-0, 204), and isn’t a top-shelf athlete (4.53 40-yard dash, 33-inch vertical leap). He drew praise from coach Jim Harbaugh after the draft, but CSN Bay Area believes Patton is “nowhere close to being ready” to contribute. Patton is in the mix with 2012 first-rounder A.J. Jenkins for No. 3 duties, but will have to go off in camp to win the job.

“There’s quite a jump with Patton from where he came in,” Harbaugh said. “He elevated himself.” Back in rookie minicamp, 49ers beat writers said the rookie was “nowhere close to being ready to contribute.” Harbs also praised second-year wideout A.J. Jenkins, saying “they understand what’s at stake, what the team needs from them and they are rising to the occasion.” Both players are vying for a starting job after Michael Crabtree’s torn Achilles’.

Beat writer Matt Barrows’ depth chart is based on where players lined up in offseason practices. Rookie Quinton Patton is listed as the No. 3 “Z” receiver behind Anquan Boldin and Ricardo Lockette. It would be a major blow to Jenkins’ career if he couldn’t beat out Williams, but we expect him to dispatch the special teamer. Patton is the bigger threat as Jenkins attempts to nail down a starting job in the absence of Michael Crabtree.

He’s actually the third-team Z, behind Boldin and Ricardo Lockette. Patton should overtake Lockette with ease in training camp, but his listing is notable because Patton is not considered an “X” receiver -- Michael Crabtree’s position. A.J. Jenkins and Kyle Williams are X receivers, with Williams currently penciled in as the starter. The 49ers are probably going to have to get another wideout.

By most accounts, Jenkins has had a strong offseason on the heels of his lost rookie campaign. Patton is drawing a ton of hype in fantasy circles, but he’ll have to be unequivocally better than 2012 first-rounder Jenkins to win the starting job. We give the edge to Jenkins.

Patton happens to be Rotoworld draft analyst Alen Dumonjic’s No. 1-rated receiver in the 2013 class. A quicker-than-fast and savvy route runner, Patton’s forty times are respectable for a wide receiver drawing some comparisons to Colts WR Reggie Wayne. Dumonjic believes Patton compares to Patriots WR Brandon Lloyd, and broke down some of Patton’s tape in late October at the link below.

Patton dropped just three balls among 158 senior-year targets. The best drop rate was actually posted by Marshall’s Aaron Dobson, who had zero drops among 92 targets. Patton’s percentage remains impressive for a 6-foot, 202-pound prospect who’s drawn pre-draft comparisons to Indianapolis’ Reggie Wayne.

The Journal-Sentinel did a feature piece on Patton for Saturday morning’s editions. Patton put himself on the draft radar in 2011 by catching 79 passes for 1,202 yards and 11 touchdowns, before improving on each of those marks as a senior. He’s a second-day talent. Seattle could view Patton as competition for Golden Tate, or even Sidney Rice’s eventual replacement at Z receiver.

Patton was not used on returns while at Louisiana Tech last season, probably because he was busy catching 104 passes and 13 touchdowns. The Niners are looking for a return man after Ted Ginn Jr. signed with the Panthers in free agency. Patton is also expected to give A.J. Jenkins all he can handle as they battle for snaps behind starters Michael Crabtree and Anquan Boldin.