49ers WR Jauan Jennings Could be ‘Primary Breakout Player’ of Offense

The San Francisco 49ers offense being devastated by injuries may have unintentionally created a new star receiver in their offense with Jauan Jennings having a career year in 2024.

After the departure of Deebo Samuel this offseason and Brandon Aiyuk still recovering from a torn ACL, there is a real possibility Jennings could be even better in 2025.

Jauan Jennings Could Improve Upon Breakout Year in 2025

Jauan Jennings coming out of nowhere to produce 77 receptions for 975 yards and six scores may have come as a surprise to some football fans, but the Tennessee product may have foreshadowed his breakout year with a standout performance in Super Bowl LVIII.

Grant Cohn of Sports Illustrated named Jauan Jennings as the standout player from OTAs, which is encouraging to see Jennings following up his career year with a strong offseason.

Cohn wrote, “In the meantime, the primary breakout player of OTAs has been Jauan Jennings. For the first time in his career, he enters the offseason training program as the unquestioned No. 1 wide receiver on the team and he’s playing with a ton of confidence in practice. He looks like Michael Crabtree in his prime.”

NFL fans may not hear the name Michael Crabtree much these days, but drawing a comparison to a player who produced 4,327 receiving yards and 26 scores during his days with the 49ers feels like a compliment coming from Cohn.

Cohn added, “Still, Jennings had his breakout season last year. Pearsall has a chance to have a breakout season this year if he stays healthy because he will get lots of targets that would have gone to Deebo Samuel last season.”

Could Jennings Challenge Brandon Aiyuk for the WR1 Role in 49ers’ Offense This Season?

Speaking of Ricky Pearsall, Jennings wasn’t the only player Cohn heap praised on when detailing his thoughts on this 49ers WR room ahead of the 2025 NFL season.

Cohn mentioned Pearsall’s name when discussing potential breakout candidates in this offense by writing, “Unfortunately for Pearsall, he injured his hamstring before OTAs and is out until training camp. Still, he’ll have plenty of time to make an impression if he stays healthy in July and August.”

Pearsall’s 2024 campaign should be viewed a massive success considering he managed to even take the field after suffering a gun shot wound to the chest prior to the start of his rookie year. By all accounts, 31 receptions for 400 yards and three scores was much more than could’ve been expected given the circumstances.

By all accounts, Pearsall has no limitations from that robbery incident from last year entering his second season — which makes the competition between him and Jennings one worth monitoring entering training camp.

The biggest factor that could hold Jennings back from producing his first 1,000 yard season in 2025 is the health of Brandon Aiyuk.

If Aiyuk is able to take the field for Week 1, then Jennings fighting for targets against the aforementioned Pearsall, Christian McCaffrey, and George Kittle will make it tough for him to see enough volume to top his production from last year.

However, if Aiyuk isn’t active to start the year or isn’t the same player he was prior to the injury, then Jennings could be in for another career year in 2025.