49ers not afraid to roll dice at wide receiver

SANTA CLARA -- If there's one thing we've learned about the 49ers under Jim Harbaugh and Trent Baalke, it's that the organization is willing to take a risk at wide receiver.A year ago, the 49ers pursued Plaxico Burress, who was recently released from prison, before signing Braylon Edwards.RELATED: 49ers, Moss, agree to one-year deal
Now, the 49ers are taking a chance on Randy Moss, who sat out last season in retirement. Moss remains in the Bay Area after working out for the club today. He is expected to officially sign a one-year contract Monday night, a source said.Let's go back to 2010 . . . Edwards was 28 years old. He caught 53 passes for 904 yards and seven touchdowns with the New York Jets. The 49ers took a risk because Edwards was believed to be facing a league-imposed suspension after pleading guilty to a DUI charge.That same season, Moss was 33. New England and Minnesota released him, and he finished the season with Tennessee. He played all 16 games but caught just 28 passes for 393 yards and five touchdowns.While Moss did not play last season, Edwards sustained a knee injury in the 49ers' second game and caught just 15 passes for 181 yards before he was released.Harbaugh came away impressed enough from the Moss workout on Monday to offer a one-year deal on the eve of free agency. Terms of the contract are not known, but you can expect that the 49ers signed Moss to a low-risk contract.Of course, the 49ers still have a need at wide receiver. Joshua Morgan is a free agent, and the 49ers want him back. Ted Ginn was a lot more valuable as a return man than as a wideout, so his return is anything but certain.Late in the season, the 49ers rolled the dice in a different way at the receiver position.After several key injuries, the 49ers decided not to address the position. Michael Crabtree and Kyle Williams were the starters in the NFC Championship Game, with Brett Swain was the No. 3 wideout.Some might wonder if the addition of Moss came a few months too late.