MIAMI — Pick your poison.
That’ll be a dilemma for the 49ers defense when San Francisco faces Kansas City in Super Bowl 2020 Sunday at Hard Rock Stadium.
Which Chiefs receiver is going to hurt the 49ers most? And when?
The magic and beauty (and danger) of the prolific Chiefs receiving corps is that they really don’t have one true No. 1 target among the wideouts. They’re all damn good — especially with their Mahomie, superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes, throwing them the ball.
All of the Kansas City receivers are dangerous to opposing defenses because speed kills.
So, come Sunday with the Lombardi Trophy at stake, who is going to be the receiver Mahomes targets for the 49ers kill shot?
Will it be Sammy Watkins, who had 52 catches for 673 yards and three touchdowns this season?
Will it be Tyreek Hill, who had 58 catches for 86 yards and seven TDs?
Will it be DeMarcus Robinson, who had 32 catches for 449 yards and four TDs?
Or rookie Mecole Hardman, who had 26 catches for 538 yards, an aggressive 20.7-yards-per catch average and six TDs?
None put up numbers that translate into Pro Bowl votes, but you know what? The receivers who posted the gaudy numbers played in the Pro Bowl that no one watched last week, and these guys are playing in the Super Bowl this week — in large part because they set aside their egos and were not obsessed with stats over wins.
“This is why we wake up every day,’’ Watkins said Wednesday. “This is why we get up at 5 in the morning. This is why we play through injuries. This is why we sacrifice so much with our families. To get here … man, I don’t think people realize what it takes. It takes a lot of heartache, a lot of pain, a lot of suffering.
“But these are the moments that you dream about. These are the moments that you wake up thinking about.’’
Watkins and Co. — when combined with Mahomes — make the Kansas City offense appear unstoppable, which is why more bettors’ dollars are on the Chiefs than the 49ers.
“We have everything,’’ Watkins said. “When we’re executing and we’re on our game — like we’ve been all season — in the most humble way, I don’t think this offense can be stopped.’’
A key to their success: No No. 1 receiver in the room and no divas screaming, “Give me the damn ball.’’
“All of us understand that there’s only one ball and seven freaking superstars on this team,’’ Watkins said. “We’re showing that you can have seven or eight superstars and we all can have fun and enjoy each other and be unselfish.’’
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Hardman said none of the receivers “try to be Superman,’’ adding, “We’re happy with what we get, we’re happy to be winning and be a part of this team. Nobody is trying to have an ego.’’
Pick your poison.
This is a dilemma facing Chiefs coach Andy Reid and offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, too.
“I feel sorry for Coach Reid and the OC, man,’’ Watkins said. “Every day, they’ve got to come to work and be like, ‘How are we going to get Sammy the ball? How are we going to get Tyreek the ball? And Mecole and D-Rob, too?’ ’’
The thing Hill loves most about the Chiefs receiving corps?
“We have receivers that can get drunk off the YAC — drunk off of yards after catch,’’ he said.
To get the best breakdown of the Kansas City receiving corps, The Post went to the player who leads the team in receiving with 97 catches for 1,229 yards and five TDs, tight end Travis Kelce.
Kelce on Watkins: “Sammy the Bull. We call him the ‘Bull’ for a reason — he’s a physical runner, big dude, fast, very strong in his routes and he’s always got a plan.’’
Kelce on Hill: “Tyreek’s got the whole package. But he’s most dangerous when he has the ball.’’
Kelce on Hardman: “We call him ‘The Jet.’ It’s cool to see him progress throughout his rookie year. He’s helped this team out unbelievably in special teams and being another receiver to make a play for us when we need it. It was a blessing that we got him in the draft.’’
Kelce on Robinson: “You want to talk about a glue guy that doesn’t get enough credit. D-Rob does wonders in the passing game and the run game. You’re talking about a guy that gets after his opponent, has a fearless mentality to go and attack. We’re not the same team without a guy like that.’’
Pick your poison.
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