The San Francisco 49ers have one of the most talented and star-studded rosters in the entire NFL. This is especially true on offense where All-Pro’s Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle, Deebo Samuel, and Brandon Aiyuk create havoc on opposing defense. Of course, the offense is run by quarterback Brock Purdy, once the last pick in the NFL Draft and now a Pro Bowl selection.
What many fans outside of San Francisco may not realize is that Purdy is not the only former seventh round pick that plays a key role in making the offense run. Jauan Jennings, one of the 49ers’ wide receivers, was a seventh-round pick in 2020. In his brief three-year career, Jennings has not put up big numbers at all, but can be considered the glue that keeps the offense together.
San Francisco 49ers Wide Receiver Jauan Jennings Is Underrated
49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings is entering his fourth season in the NFL, but may not be known to most fans outside of San Francisco. This is because he does all the dirty work that oftentimes goes overlooked by the casual fan.
It is this dirty work (blocking in both the passing and running games and stretching the field for others) that made Alex Ballentine of Bleacher Report named Jennings one of his eight most underrated wide receivers in the NFL:
“Jennings’ willingness and ability to do all the dirty work, block in the run game and still make tough catches when called upon makes him an underrated cog in the unit.
“Jennings isn’t likely to ever become a fantasy star or even a full-time starter for the Niners. But his blocking and chain-moving as a receiver make him a valuable piece of their offense.
“It’s no wonder they gave him a two-year contract extension worth $15.4 million.”
Jennings may never be a top pass catcher in the NFL, but he is a good lesson that one can have a good career and make a lot of money by sticking to the fundamentals. Every team needs a player like him.
The San Francisco 49ers Have an Underappreciated Weapon in Jauan Jennings
Jennings, of course, will not get many targets in an offense that boasts all the offensive stars that the 49ers have. Of the 471 passing targets distributed to 49ers’ pass catchers last year, Aiyuk, Kittle, Samuel, and McCaffrey combined for 367 (or 78%) of them.
Jennngs ranked fifth on the team in targets, though, with 33. He had 19 receptions for 265 yards and a touchdown.
And while the 49ers lost the Super Bowl, Jennings had himself a solid game, catching four passes for 42 yards and a touchdown.
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