The 49ers will need a strong and dependable wide receiving corps heading into the season if they hope to contend for a Super Bowl berth.
With the departure of Deebo Samuel, who was traded to the Washington Commanders this past offseason, the team loses one of its most versatile and explosive playmakers. Additionally, Brandon Aiyuk is still recovering from the ACL injury he suffered last year, leaving question marks at the top of the depth chart.
Fortunately, Jauan Jennings has proven he's more than just a blocking receiver, nearly reaching 1,000 receiving yards last season, and Ricky Pearsall showed significant promise in the second half of the year, giving the 49ers some hope for internal development.
According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), the 49ers' wide receiver unit ranks fifth in the NFL. Analyst Trevor Sikkema wrote, "If they are healthy and can feature alongside George Kittle, who ranked second in PFF receiving grade (92.6) among tight ends last season, as well as Jauan Jennings and Ricky Pearsall, the group deserves the benefit of the doubt, even without Deebo Samuel."
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However, injuries have already begun testing that depth in training camp. With Jauan Jennings and Jacob Cowing sidelined due to camp injuries, and Brandon Aiyuk's continued rehab, the 49ers may choose to carry as many as six wide receivers on the active roster.
Here is a list of possible candidates to fill the remaining wide receiver spots:
Demarcus Robinson
In his nine-year career, Demarcus Robinson has 3,013 receiving yards and 27 touchdowns with three different teams. The former Gator was a part of the Chiefs team that beat the 49ers in Super Bowl LIV.
At the NFL owners meetings in April, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said he had respect for Robinson since he came out of college, but really since he started playing with the Rams.
"The style he played with, how physical he played in the run game and the pass game," Shanahan said. "We always respected his game, and we didn't want to have to go against him anymore."
Last season, Robinson had his best year with the Rams, recording 505 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. He is still awaiting a potential suspension after receiving probation for a DUI, in which he was allegedly driving over 100 mph and appeared to be intoxicated.
Robinson had a quiet debut against the Broncos, finishing with just two receptions for 20 yards.
Russell Gage
Over his five NFL seasons, Russell Gage has been a reliable and consistent contributor for both the Falcons and Buccaneers, recording 2,491 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns. He is returning from a non-contact injury that sidelined him for the 2023 season and will have a chance to make the 49ers' roster after being signed to the practice squad in November of 2024.
49ers offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak said Gage is a pro.
"He's been around, and you can tell with the way he prepares, the way he works, the way he gets his body ready to practice every day," Kubiak said. "He's a guy who's taken a big step from OTAs. In OTAs, he was learning. You might be a hair slower when you're still trying to figure it all out.
You can tell he's really putting in the work in the classroom with the mental part of it, and it's made his play faster."
Gage's best season was 2020 with the Falcons, when he had 72 receptions, 786 receiving yards, and four touchdowns. The former LSU Tiger recently told a pair of reporters that playing for the 49ers is where he wants to be.
"I love the offense. I love the style of receivers, all of them," Gage said. "I'm hopeful to make this team and contribute and be a part of a real special group."
In his first meaningful game since his stint with the Buccaneers in 2022, Gage caught two passes for three yards.
Jordan Watkins
Jordan Watkins may earn the 4th spot on the roster because he is receiving so many accolades from coaches.
Coming out of Ole Miss, Watkins totaled 906 receiving yards in his final season, highlighted by a dominant showing in the Gator Bowl, where he racked up 180 receiving yards and two touchdowns against the Duke Blue Devils.
Over five collegiate seasons, Watkins amassed 2,682 receiving yards and 18 touchdowns, including a career-high nine touchdown receptions in his final year with the Rebels.
In the draft process, the former Rebel ran an impressive 4.3-second 40-yard dash, and he showcased his speed both in practice and in the preseason game against the Broncos, where he hauled in a 50-yard reception. Watkins finished his 49ers debut with three receptions for 53 yards.
Terique Owens
Second-year receiver Terique Owens, who spent last season on the 49ers' practice squad, has been quietly making plays since OTAs and throughout training camp, including a 75-yard touchdown reception that capped last Monday's practice.
The son of Hall of Famer and former 49ers legend Terrell Owens has shown steady improvement and flashes of big-play potential, much like his father. Despite a strong showing in camp, Owens did not record a reception in the preseason game against the Broncos, though he was targeted once.
To increase his chances of earning a roster spot, Owens may need to make an impact on special teams or even consider a position switch to tight end, where his size and skill set could provide added value.
Junior Bergen
Junior Bergen is another long shot to make the roster as an offensive contributor, but he has a chance of making it as a returner.
Bergen was a solid receiver at Montana, recording 542 receiving yards and three touchdown receptions in his senior year, but his true standout value came as a return specialist. He was named the 2024 FCS Athletic Director's Association Return Specialist of the Year, finishing the season with 1,136 return yards on 68 attempts.
Bergen also cemented his place in Big Sky Conference history, ranking third all-time in punt return average (16.7 yards per return), trailing only Cooper Kupp of Eastern Washington (17.1) and Randall Anderson of Weber State (18.48).
The 49ers haven't had a true special teams return threat since Ted Ginn Jr. in 2012. While Bergen didn't record a catch in the preseason opener against the Broncos, he made his presence felt as a returner. In his debut, the former Montana Grizzlies standout posted a 28-yard punt return and added two kickoff returns for 40 yards, giving the 49ers a promising glimpse of his potential to revitalize their return game.