Current Commanders WR Noah Brown.
With Jauan Jennings in a contract year and trade rumors currently swirling around him, the San Francisco 49ers have a decision to make.
It’s likely the 49ers will make every attempt to keep him around. Head coach Kyle Shanahan has said Jennings hasn’t made an official trade request, but that hasn’t stopped several analysts from proposing trades that would send the veteran wideout packing.
Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report thinks the Washington Commanders would be a solid trade partner, and he put together a proposal that would send a 2027 third-round pick and receiver Noah Brown to San Francisco in exchange for Jennings.
“Even with Deebo Samuel now in Washington, though, the Commanders could have interest in Jennings. General manager Adam Peters came from San Francisco’s front office, and Washington may have a need after Terry McLaurin officially requested a trade,” Knox wrote on August 5.
“Hypothetically, a McLaurin-for-Jennings swap could work, but that feels unlikely, given McLaurin’s desire for a new contract. San Francisco just paid Brandon Aiyuk last offseason and got out from under Samuel’s contract earlier this year. However, the Commanders could include Noah Brown, who racked up 453 yards in 11 games last season before suffering a lacerated kidney. He’s entering a contract year but would help San Francisco replace Jennings.”
What Has Noah Brown’s NFL Career Looked Like?
GettyA new trade proposal has the Washington Commanders swapping wide receiver Noah Brown for Jauan Jennings.
Drafted in the seventh round by the Dallas Cowboys in 2017, Brown has spent seven years in the NFL.
His best season came in 2022, when he hauled in 43 catches for 555 yards and three touchdowns in a starting role across 16 games (13 starts). In 2023, he spent a year with the Houston Texans, and he posted a career‑best 17.2 yards per catch, netting 567 yards.
Last season, his first in Washington, he had 35 catches for 453 yards and a memorable, 52‑yard Hail Mary touchdown that resulted in a memorable win over the Chicago Bears.
Brown’s game is defined by his rare size-speed combo. The 6‑foot-2, 225-pound WR is long and physical, and he’s able to stretch the field vertically. The Commanders re‑signed him in March on a one‑year deal worth up to $4.5 million.
Over 87 games through 2024, he has logged 150 catches for 2,000 receiving yards and six touchdowns, averaging 13.3 yards per catch.
Would a Noah Brown-Jauan Jennings Trade Swap Be a Good Thing for the San Francisco 49ers?
Jennings is clearly a better receiver than Brown, but adding a third-round pick to the trade could sway San Francisco. Still, unless the Niners want to take less production at the position, this might not be a good fit.
Brown is more of a complementary vertical threat rather than primary target; He’s never exceeded 600 receiving yards in a season, but his per‑catch efficiency (career average of 13.3 yards) is solid.
Kyle Shanahan likes receivers who can block well in the run game and Brown’s blocking ability and willingness to get physical would make him a good fit in Shanahan’s scheme, where receivers must often serve as additional support to the ground game. Moreover, his size and contested‑catch ability would complement the inside‑slot/possession guys and perimeter threats already on the roster.
Given Brown’s experience and skill set—he’s a situational deep threat and very good blocking receiver — he could bring more versatility to the WRs room.
Jennings, coming off a breakout 2024 campaign in which he finished with 77 catches for 975 yards and six TDs, would command a more significant role and contract. The Niners need to decide if he’s worth it. If not, a trade like this might make sense.
