If the 49ers can’t figure out a situation with Jauan Jennings, they may be forced to sign a wide receiver. Plus, if the running backs aren’t up to par, San Francisco could welcome back an old friend
The San Francisco 49ers report to training camp today. The media will get their first look at the Niners on Wednesday. I’m guessing we see block of practices where the physicality is dialed back more than ever under Kyle Shanahan, attempting to preserve the health of a team where their best players have a history of being banged up.
Despite several teams inquiring about wide receiver Jauan Jennings and his potential holdout, the 49ers are picking up the phone with no intention of sending Jennings elsewhere.
The question becomes how long will the Niners let this situation linger? After all, it wouldn’t be a 49ers training camp if there wasn’t any contract uncertainty. Pro Football Network linked San Francisco to a pair of free agent receivers with the thought that Jennings’s holdout won’t be short-lived while Ricky Pearsall and Brandon Aiyuk’s injuries extend into August.
This comes one day after the Niners worked out six wide receivers, and neither of them is the two listed below. The workouts were temporary fixes that fall under the “camp body” category. These players do not.
Gabe Davis, WR
49ers, Steelers, Giants, Chiefs
Just one year into his three-year deal, the Jacksonville Jaguars released Gabe Davis after a disappointing 2024 season that ended in a season-ending torn meniscus. A lackluster Jaguars offense didn’t do him any favors, but he still finished with a career-low 20 catches for 239 yards.
Davis is only 26 years old, so he should have plenty of football left in him, even after his injury. He would be best suited in an offense that allows him to maximize his vertical capabilities. That said, keep an eye on some playoff contenders to consider him on a discounted one-year deal before he signs another contract next offseason.
Davis isn’t a new name, as the 49ers worked him out shortly after the draft. Back in June, Kyle Shanahan was asked if the team is monitoring wide receivers on the market:
“I think it’s how we handle every situation, we monitor everything. So, I think Gabe’s visited a few teams. He’s a guy we’ve been a fan of in the past and he wanted to visit a few teams and talk to them about mutual interest and we had a good visit. But that’s stuff we really never stop doing.”
Here’s a notable name that would get fans excited:
Amari Cooper, WR
Patriots, Broncos, Raiders, 49ers
Arguably the top free agent still available, Amari Cooper has a tremendous track record and was a Pro Bowl just two seasons ago. Though he had 1,250 receiving yards in 2023, he dipped down to 547 yards between stints in Cleveland and Buffalo in 2024. Neither team used him as the top target he had previously been.
Cooper deserves a chance at a starting role to prove he still has a lot left in the tank. The five-time Pro Bowl could make sense for WR-needy teams pushing for a deep playoff run like the Denver Broncos and San Francisco 49ers. Likewise, younger teams like the New England Patriots and Las Vegas Raiders could value his veteran leadership.
Cooper seems like the kind of veteran who wouldn’t be interested in going through a grueling training camp. He’d also be the type of veteran who could produce right away and take pressure off some of the greener wideouts on the roster.
My guess is that we see Jennings’s contract get resolved without any splash signings happening ahead of Week 1.
The final player is a running back, and an old friend:
Jeff Wilson Jr., RB
49ers, Falcons, Bears
2022 was a big year for Jeff Wilson Jr., as he finished with 860 rushing yards between his time with both San Francisco and Miami. Slowly but surely, the Dolphins fazed him out of the offense in favor of players like De’Von Achane, Raheem Mostert, and Jaylen Wright. Wilson had just 16 carries in 2024.
Wilson offers some value as a special-teams coverage player, which could give him an edge over offense-only free agent backs on the market. Teams like the Atlanta Falcons and Chicago Bears could use another RB to compete for a roster spot. Going back to San Francisco might not be out of the question given his scheme familiarity.
The 49ers will head into 2025 relying heavily on Christian McCaffrey. Their special teamer is already on the roster. That’s Patrick Taylor Jr. Besides him, Isaac Guerendo and a pair of rookies make up the running back room. And speaking of rookies, Jordan Watkins figures to take over the Deebo Samuel role, so don’t be surprised if he gets a carry here and there.
Needless to say, adding Wilson Jr. would be puzzling given youth investment at the position. Wilson Jr. turns 30 in November. While Guerendo has an injury history, that’s where fifth-rounder Jordan James or even UDFA Corey Kiner would come into play.