When the chips are down, who can the 49ers count on?
When quarterbacks are under pressure from a pass rush, it is natural to target their most trusted receiver in those moments. The term “safety blanket” has been used to describe players who are clutch in pressure-packed moments. One player has separated himself as the San Francisco 49ers’ go-to receiver in tense situations.
That player is Jauan Jennings. We all know his nickname, but does the “Third and Jauan” moniker do Jennings true justice?
Before his breakout 2024 season, Jennings never totaled more than 39 catches in a season. Of Jennings’ 98 catches in his first three seasons, a jaw-dropping 66 went for first downs.
The zero-to-ten-yard area is where Jennings did most of his damage in 2024.
Outside Left (0-10): 13/18, 84 yards (25 YAC), 1 TD, 0 INT, 100.2 NFL rating, 77.9 PFF Grade
Between Numbers (0-10): 16/24, 145 yards (56 YAC), 1 TD, 0 INT, 96.7 NFL rating, 88.7 PFF Grade
Outside Right (0-10): 15/17, 140 yards (66 YAC), 0 TD, 1 INT, 76.5 NFL rating, 90.6 PFF Grade
How effective was Jennings when Brock Purdy was under pressure in 2024?
According to Lauren Gray of Pro Football Focus, Jennings held an 18.8% target rate when a 49er quarterback was under pressure, which is the seventh highest in the NFL.
Jennings caught 16 of 31 targets for 188 yards and 10 first downs with 49ers quarterbacks under pressure. He hauled in three touchdowns, secured five of eight contested targets, and had five plays of 15-plus yards in those situations.
He owns a 66.8 PFF receiving grade on pressured targets over the past three seasons, having caught 35 passes for 378 yards. Jennings has gained 20 first downs, caught four touchdowns, and logged 11 explosive gains in that span.
Whether it was Jimmy Garoppolo in 2021 or Purdy for the next three seasons, Jennings is the target in pressure moments. With the added target share in 2024, Jennings continued to make tough catches with 20 contested catches out of 32 opportunities for a 62.5% contested catch rate.
Another season like 2024, and Jennings will be in line for a big payday one way or another. Will it be with the 49ers or somewhere else is the real question.