The San Francisco 49ers' wide receivers will be the team's barometer for the 2022 NFL season.

It's as plain and simple as that.

NFL teams are investing more and more in their skill positions as the rules of football continue to change and move toward allowing more leeway for offenses to score heavily.

In the modern NFL, you need playmakers to succeed. These are players who can break tackles and transform five-yard gains into fifteen-yard runs or take screen passes far. It all comes down to moving the chains and scoring touchdowns, especially as defenses grow quicker and pass rushers get stronger.

In 2021, the 49ers' star WR Deebo Samuel's legs and hands propelled the San Francisco 49ers to their second postseason appearance in three years. San Francisco, however, eventually fell one game shy of a Super Bowl berth due to their poor quarterback performance. Some will blame that loss on their QB, but that's debatable.

Trey Lance, the primary quarterback for the upcoming season, will get the opportunity to direct the offense this year and justify his 2021 first-round selection status. Elijah Mitchell, a running back, showed flashes during his first season in the NFL, but he must demonstrate that he can remain healthy and handle more demanding expectations.

Perhaps most significant is how San Francisco also has pretty strong receiving options. How this receiving corps performs will determine much of the 49ers' destiny this coming season. Without a doubt, though, the 49ers will once again be in the thick of the action.

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49ers Key Position Group For 2022 NFL Season

Wide Receivers

Some observers have ranked San Francisco's wideouts among the top 5 or 6 in the entire league. Of course, that's based on the assumption that Deebo Samuel's summer controversies turn out to be unfounded.

Remember that Samuel was one of the league's most productive wide receivers last season, tallying up 1,405 receiving yards. Even as he transitioned to being a “wide back” hybrid, he was still very dangerous. In fact, only Davante Adams and Cooper Kupp have higher Pro Football Focus receiving grades through Week 10 of last season.

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Last season, Samuel had his greatest year ever, hauling in 77 passes out of 121 targets while also putting up six receiving touchdowns. Meanwhile, as a rusher, he produced 365 yards and eight touchdowns on 59 attempts. San Francisco cannot go wrong either way, especially since he averaged 18.2 yards per reception and 6.2 yards per carry.

Niners fans heaved a sigh of relief after Samuel reported to minicamp following supposed disagreements with the organization. Some say the contentious issues revolve around his contract and maybe even about his use as a running back. Nobody can be completely certain if those issues have been ironed out, but Samuel's returning to suit up is a major step forward.

Keep an eye out for Brandon Aiyuk as well. Late last season, he emerged as one of Kyle Shanahan's weapons. He eventually produced a passer rating of 119.4 on his 83 targets, making him one of the league's few genuinely exceptional receivers. Aiyuk actually completed the year with 826 yards and five touchdowns. Those numbers aren't bad at all for a third option as Aiyuk plays behind Samuel and TE Goerge Kittle.

As good as Samuel and Aiyuk are, however, they will also be getting a ton of help from the likes of Jauan Jennings and rookie Danny Gray.

Jennings had a strong end to his rookie campaign last season. He collected six catches, 94 yards, and two touchdowns against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 17. He showed tantalizing potential to be a solid fourth option this coming season. Jennings was also a solid third-down and endzone target. If Trey Lance and Jennings can develop a strong rapport, that could be a huge difference-maker for the squad. Kyle Shanahan seems to have favored this kid, which is quite unusual for him to do. That, however, is a meaningful vote of confidence.

Rookie WR Danny Gray, meanwhile, may soon take over as the primary deep threat and slot receiver. He is a special gadget player with a lightning-quick 40-yard speed of 4.33. Sure, Gray will begin his first season buried on a wide receiver depth chart, but that can change very quickly.

If this exciting WR corps plays to form, they will make the team and the main QB Trey Lance look very good.