The 49ers are once again staring down the barrel of the gun this offseason. Another wide receiver is looking to get paid before the start of training camp. This time it’s wide receiver Jauan Jennings. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the 49ers’ wide receiver wants another deal. Jennings is slated to make $7.5 million on the final year of his current contract. So his request for a new contract extension makes sense. NFL players often seek security in the form of a new contract before putting their bodies on the line.
Jennings also expressed interest in seeking a trade if the 49ers aren’t interested in extending him. Through his report, Adam Schefter notes that the 49ers front office isn’t willing to move on from the wide receiver. From a fantasy football perspective, it makes more sense for the 49ers to take care of Jennings. That doesn’t mean the 49ers front office doesn’t have other moves they could make. Amari Cooper and Keenan Allen are still available via free agency, so that option should always be on the table. However, you would still have to pay either of those players if they go that route.
Fantasy Football Impact: Why the 49ers Need Jauan Jennings
Jauan Jennings Fantasy Fallout
Jennings has some fantasy appeal heading into draft season, and for good reason. The 49ers’ star wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk is working his way back from injury after he suffered a torn ACL/MCL last season. 49ers beat writer Matt Maiocco also reported Aiyuk is likely to land on the PUP list to begin the 2025 season. Should that come to pass, the 49ers would be down one of their top receivers to start the season. Let’s not forget that the Niners already traded former Niners receiver Deebo Samuel to the Washington Commanders this offseason as well. With the 49ers down two of their top receivers from last season, that would leave Jauan Jennings and second-year receiver Ricky Pearsall as their top options at wide receiver.
Jennings was not spectacular last season. But did put up some decent numbers as the 49ers dealt with several injuries. He averaged 14 fantasy points per game and saw an uptick in targets when Aiyuk and Samuel went down. By the end of the season, Jennings ended up leading the 49ers’ wide receivers in targets with 113 and finished the 2024 season with a 23.7% target share. The Niners’ WR would average 7.5 targets per game and saw five games where he reached double-digit targets. And who could forget about Jennings’ breakout game against the Los Angeles Rams, which caused fantasy managers to target him off the waiver wire.
Against the Rams in week 3, Jennings would go nuclear, seeing 12 targets for 175 yards and three touchdowns for 46.5 fantasy points. Jennings would go on to post eight games in double figures, making him a decent WR3/Flex option for fantasy managers due to the lack of targets for Brock Purdy. This season could be more of the same with Aiyuk missing in action to begin the season. Currently, the WR37 according to Fantasydata’s ADP chart in PPR formats, Jennings could be considered a bargain at the beginning of the season.
The Wrap Up
Overall, Jennings is the third option on the team behind George Kittle and Christian McCaffrey, with Aiyuk potentially out of the lineup. But that doesn’t mean that’s a bad thing. Kittle and McCaffrey should continue to draw a lot of attention from opposing defenses, allowing Jennings to continue to see more targets. Jennings proved that he can handle a high volume of targets last season. His 7.5 targets per game puts him just inside the top 25 among fantasy wide receivers for 2024. That placed him amongst bigger names like Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown and former Steelers wide receiver George Pickens.
The 49ers will have to decide on what to do with Jennings heading into training camp. A trade seems unlikely. Head coach Kyle Shanahan has spoken well of Jennings in the past, and Jennings knows what he brings to the table for Shanahan.
49ers WR Jauan Jennings and his relationship with head coach Kyle Shanahan:
“It’s built over the years of getting cut, practice squad guy. Coming back the next year after an injury that ended my season… He just sees the resiliency that I bring… This game, my job it means so… pic.twitter.com/E6uUdA47Qx
— Kirsten Moran-Kellar (@kirstenlizmoran) December 9, 2024
Fantasy managers shouldn’t focus on Jennings. But should consider adding him to their ranks as a viable flex option later on in the draft. You aren’t going to find wide receivers that will be WR1s for their teams that late in fantasy drafts. While the appeal of some rookies may catch your eye, keep in mind that Jennings and Purdy have a rapport with each other. Kittle and McCaffrey are still likely to command much attention from opposing defenses. This will allow Jennings more freedom on the field. These factors, combined with a substantial target share, should make Jennings very appealing in the later rounds.
Here’s Some Free Game…
Even if Aiyuk starts the season on the PUP list, add him to your IR slot. That way, you can get the best of both worlds. This could give you a valuable trade option. It could also lock up two top targets for the 49ers’ offense. The 49ers shouldn’t take long to make their current “top guy” happy with a new contract this offseason.
Main Photo: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
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