Jauan Jennings caught 7-of-10 targets for 52 yards in the 49ers’ Week 18 game against the Cardinals.
Jennings entered the game 77 yards short of 1,000 on the year. Inconceivably, he committed personal fouls on back-to-back plays in the second quarter and was ejected 25 yards shy of 1K. Not smart, especially with the Niners making a concerted effort to get Jennings there. He had seven more looks than any other player. 27-year-old former seventh-rounder Jennings — who spent his 2020 rookie year on the Niners’ practice squad — was surprisingly signed to a two-year, $15.39 million extension in May. He immediately showed why, breaking out in Brandon Aiyuk’s absence even after the 49ers used a first-round pick on Ricky Pearsall. All of Jennings’ 77/975/6 were more than double his previous career highs, save for the touchdowns. After two mid-season hot streaks, Jennings did look like more of a role player down the stretch, but he’s proven beyond a doubt he can be one of the league’s best No. 3 wideouts, and a No. 2 in a pinch. With the 49ers’ receiver room uncertain amidst Aiyuk’s knee woes and Deebo Samuel’s decline, Jennings could remain a top-36 option in 2025.