The San Francisco 49ers appear ready to head into Week 1 with Jauan Jennings and Ricky Pearsall as their starting wide receivers. With Brandon Aiyuk expected to miss extended time in 2025 after suffering ACL and MCL injuries in October, the team faces depth concerns at the position. While San Francisco did bring in veteran Demarcus Robinson, he's potentially facing a three-game suspension, which would sideline him to start the season.
Bleacher Report's Moe Moton believes he has a solution to what he views as a pressing issue for the 49ers' receiving corps. In a recent article highlighting 10 notable free agents who should be on NFL rosters, Moton identified the 49ers as a logical landing spot for Keenan Allen, the longtime Chargers standout who spent last season with the Bears.
"The 49ers signed Brock Purdy to a five-year, $265 million extension," Moton wrote. "As running back Christian McCaffrey ages, San Francisco's high-paid signal-caller must carry more of the offensive load, and to do that, he needs a full deck of pass-catchers.
"With the absence of Aiyuk and uncertainty around Robinson, Allen would be a solid fit to round out three-receiver sets alongside Jauan Jennings and Ricky Pearsall. He's also an upgrade over Robinson and would allow the 49ers to slowly ease Aiyuk back into action."
Allen brings a wealth of experience and production. He's recorded six 1,000-yard seasons and five with over 100 catches. In 2023, he caught 108 passes for 1,243 yards and seven touchdowns. Although his numbers dipped last season—70 receptions for 744 yards—he still found the end zone seven times while playing with rookie quarterback Caleb Williams.
"He moved the chains for a first down on about 61 percent of his receptions," Moton noted. "If teams can look beyond Allen's age, he can be a dependable No. 2 option in a passing attack."
The 49ers are coming off a disappointing 6-11 campaign that left them at the bottom of the NFC West. While they traded away Deebo Samuel, they've added Robinson and drafted wideouts Jordan Watkins and Junior Bergen—although Bergen is expected to contribute primarily on special teams.
Jacob Cowing, like Pearsall, is entering his second NFL season and could be poised to take on a larger role in 2025.
Kittle noted that WR Jacob Cowing, who weighed 168 lbs at the combine last year, showed up with more heft this year. He pointed to Ricky Pearsall and Cowing as players with an opportunity to make a leap this season.
— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) May 22, 2025
Still, Moton believes Allen could offer immediate value in head coach Kyle Shanahan's offense.
"At 33, Keenan Allen can still help a playoff contender or young quarterback with his reliable hands and ability to find the end zone once his team reaches the red zone," Moton wrote. "He has a career 68.1 percent catch rate and recorded nine of his last 14 touchdowns with a reception within 16 yards of the goal line."