Their own 2009 first round pick remains unsigned, so the 49ers are turning their attention to another wide receiver from the same draft class.
The 49ers are reportedly set to visit with free agent receiver Hakeem Nicks, whose two 1,000-yard seasons give him one more in his six-year career than 49ers free agent Michael Crabtree.
Neither Nicks nor Crabtree has gotten much attention on the free agent market. The 49ers showed interest in Nicks a year ago before he signed a one-year deal with the Indianapolis Colts. He has taken no other visits this offseason. Nicks is scheduled to meet with coaches and team officials in Santa Clara on Monday, reports ESPN’s Josina Anderson.
Michael Crabtree has met only with the Miami Dolphins. He remains unsigned.
While with the New York Giants, who selected him with the No. 29 overall pick in the 2009 draft, Nicks was a top wide receiver. He caught 76 passes for 1,192 yards and seven touchdowns in 2011. It was his second 1,000-yard season in a row after catching 11 touchdown passes in 2010.
However, he incurred knee and foot problems that contributed to a precipitous decline in his production. He was healthy with the Colts last season, playing all 16 games, but caught 38 passes for 405 yards and four touchdowns.
Anquan Boldin and free agent pickup Torrey Smith are slated to be the 49ers’ starting wide receivers. Bruce Ellington, Quinton Patton and Jerome Simpson are among the 49ers who will compete for playing time.
