Quinton Patton learning from 49ers Michael Crabtree

Quinton Patton will be seeing more playing time than he expected as a rookie, with Michael Crabtree potentially out for the season after tearing his Achilles tendon. The young wideout told CSN Bay Area that he is still having a tough time figuring out the San Francisco 49ers' play book, but that he has had a lot of help from the team's veteran players. In particular, he looks to Crabtree "as a big brother."

Patton is also taking advice from Anquan Boldin and veteran defensive backs Donte Whitner and Nnamdi Asomugha. Boldin has helped the rookie improve his release techniques, and Whitner and Asomugha have helped him diagnose coverage and prepare for the bigger, more physcial corners and safeties he will be seeing weekly in the NFL. Patton says he is getting close to 50 reps per practice, much more than his former Louisiana Tech teammates elsewhere.

According to CSN Bay Area, Patton is currently behind A.J. Jenkins at split end, and competing with Ricardo Lockette for the top backup spot. Mario Manningham and Kyle Williams sat out offseason practices this spring, but they should also factor into the competition for playing time.