Jauan Jennings broke out in 2024, but will he finally notch his first 1,000 yard season in 2025?
2024 was an interesting season for the San Francisco 49ers at the wide receiver position. After a contentious offseason negotiation with star receiver Brandon Aiyuk and a first-round selection of Florida receiver Ricky Pearsall, it was hard to envision Jauan Jennings finishing the season as the team’s leading wide receiver. George Kittle edged out Jennings by one catch for the team lead in receptions with 77.
While 2024 was an underwhelming season for the 49ers’ offense, the team managed to move the football between the 20-yard lines but struggled in the red zone.
2025 figures to see the offense return to form with Christian McCaffrey fully healthy, Kittle, Jennings, and the promising Pearsall return, and the addition of Jordan Watkins, with the hope that second-year receiver Jacob Cowing makes an impact for quarterback Brock Purdy.
So, who is the favorite to lead the 49ers’ receivers in 2025?
Mike Clay of ESPN released his projections for 2025, and Jennings remains the top dog for 49ers wide receivers, with Kittle leading the team in receptions again.
Over 17 games, Jennings is projected to receive a career-high 116 targets and finish with his first-ever 1,000-yard receiving season at 1,040 receiving yards. With 76 receptions, Jennings would be one reception shy of his career-high reception total from 2024.
Pearsall’s first full season as a 49ers receiver will fetch the former Gator a total of 67 receptions, 964 receiving yards, and four touchdowns on 103 targets.
But what about Aiyuk and his recovery from a devastating knee injury in 2024? In seven games, Aiyuk finished with 25 receptions and 374 receiving yards on 45 targets. Clay anticipates Aiyuk to appear in nine games in 2025 and receive the same number of targets, which converts into 28 catches, 435 yards, and two touchdowns.
While we don’t know the exact timeline for Aiyuk, it is a good bet the former Arizona State receiver will miss time. An early-season PUP stint could be in the cards, but it would be a disappointment for Aiyuk to only receive five targets per game in nine games.
The 49ers’ offense will have to pick up the slack for a defense with so many new faces and rookies in 2025. Purdy got paid, and the offense, Aiyuk aside, is ready to roll with no issues heading into training camp. The 49ers’ passing offense should provide fireworks in 2025.