What Will Danny Gray's Role for the 49ers be in 2023?

Danny Gray was an afterthought for the 49ers during his rookie season. Will 2023 be the year he carves out a role for himself?

One of the more intriguing players that the 49ers drafted in 2022 was wide receiver Danny Gray.

Known primarily as a speedster who can stretch the field vertically, his selection by the 49ers was solely for Trey Lance. Gray was to bring out the big arm deep threat capability with Lance that no other receiver on the roster could be effective at. 

Unfortunately for Gray, he never made an impact in his rookie season. That is due to Lance missing the season after breaking his ankle in Week 2. Gray became an afterthought to the 49ers as he struggled to find a way to make an impact in other capacities. 2023 will need to see him step up and be more than a vertical threat since Brock Purdy is the presumed starter for now. 

So, what will Gray's role be for the 49ers?

First, he has to showcase that he can block and be efficient as a receiver around the line of scrimmage. This is the standard that Kyle Shanahan holds to all of his receivers. If they cannot accomplish those two tasks, especially when it comes to blocking, he will be reluctant to play a receiver. Gray needed to adapt to that role when Lance went down and Jimmy Garoppolo, then Purdy took over. These are not big arm quarterbacks that will optimize his ability, so now he needs to develop his other skills that are not so adept. He didn't manage to do so, he never had a role.

OTAs begin for the 49ers on May 23, which will be the first opportunity for Gray to give the coaches some semblance on any improvement he has made. Even if it is just from a physique standpoint, that is sufficient for the coaches to keep a watchful eye on Gray when training camp rolls around. What definitely will not help Gray's case is if all he can do is fly down the field on fade routes. The 49ers already know he can do that, so what else can he bring that will earn him a larger role?

Gray will be aiming for the No. 4 spot on the receiver depth chart with Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, and Jauan Jennings ahead of him. Jennings is on a one-year deal and possibly won't be back in 2024 for the 49ers. This year is a great chance for Gray to supplant or be Jennings' equal. And to be quite frank, Gray will meet that easier if Lance is his quarterback. With Purdy, or dare I say Sam Darnold, he'll look like any replaceable receiver out there to the 49ers. 

Still, all it takes is for some flash plays in OTAs from Gray to get the coaches keying in on him going into camp, which will only benefit a potential role expansion.