(Photo by Rob Foldy/Getty Images)
The 49ers are adding to their wide receiver depth chart after last week’s rookie mini-camp.
San Francisco invited five players on a tryout basis to the mini-camp on Friday. One, WR Marqise Lee, impressed enough to make the team.
Lee, 29, is a seven-year veteran who was drafted by the Jaguars in the second-round of the 2014 NFL Draft. Lee never quite lived up to his draft position, but did have two solid years in Jacksonville, posting back-to-back seasons of 851 and 702 receiving yards in 2016 and 2017 respectively. For context, the 49ers’ leading receiver last year was Brandon Aiyuk with 748 yards.
(Career stats via Pro Football Reference)
Lee was released by the Jags after missing the entire 2018 season and most of the 2019 season with a knee injury. He was signed by the Patriots in 2020 but decided to opt out due to COVID-19 concerns.
Lee reportedly caught three passes from 49ers rookie quarterback Trey Lance on Friday, including an impressive catch over the middle in traffic. Friday was Lance’s first day throwing passes in a 49ers uniform.
Lee will join a talented but very young 49ers receiving corps led by Aiyuk (23), Deebo Samuel (25) and Richie James Jr. (25).
The 49ers waived WR Austin Proehl to make room for Lee.