The Niners have some things to figure out with their receiving corps this offseason.
The San Francisco 49ers broke up their wide receiver corps this offseason, sending former All-Pro Deebo Samuel to the Washington Commanders for a fifth-round draft pick.
A move was expected at some point after the 49ers drafted Ricky Pearsall in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, with buzz heating up around the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine after Samuel requested a trade.
With Deebo out of the picture, the 49ers now have a receiver corps headlined by Brandon Aiyuk, Jauan Jennings, and Pearsall. Aiyuk, however, is still recovering from the torn ACL and MCL injuries that he suffered back in October.
That has made it unlikely that the wideout will be back in time for Week 1. So, who will ultimately be the 49ers’ No. 1 wide receiver in 2025?
Jauan Jennings led the way in 2024, falling just short of 1,000 yards with 77 catches for 975 yards and six touchdowns, which were all career-highs. Seen mainly as a third-down, chain-moving weapon, Jennings saw significant volume come his way last year as San Francisco dealt with injuries at wide receiver.
Jennings had at least 10 targets in five games, including an 11-catch, 175-yard, and three-touchdown performance in a 27-24 loss to the Los Angeles Rams late in the season. His rapport with quarterback Brock Purdy has significantly grown, and Jennings should be the starter in the slot come Week 1.
Pearsall, on the other hand, had some ups and downs during his rookie year, as he dealt with injuries. After going for 70+ yards in his second and third-career games, Pearsall had a six-game stretch where he totaled only 58 receiving yards, struggling to make an impact on the field.
He ended his rookie season with a bang, though, going for eight catches, 141 yards, and a touchdown against the Detroit Lions in Week 17 before catching six passes for 69 yards and a score in the season finale.
He’s expected to take the next step as a starter in 2025, and now has a full offseason to prepare for the first time, already impressing new offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak.
“I think Ricky sees himself as a starter,” Kubiak said to reporters last week. “He wants to be a starting receiver. And whether BA’s out there or not, I think Ricky has that same expectation of himself, and that we wouldn’t want it any other way. That’s how he saw himself last year. And I think that’s just how he is naturally.”
Pearsall could potentially take over Aiyuk’s role as the lead outside receiver until the star returns from injury, but with that increased role comes tougher competition and expectations.
Both Jennings and Pearsall have something to prove this season. The former is in a contract year with the chance to earn significant money this offseason. Meanwhile, the latter is looking to show that he’s worth his draft position after San Francisco took him in the first round that year.
Them two, along with star tight end George Kittle, should spearhead the 49ers’ passing attack in 2025 until Aiyuk is back to full strength.