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The San Francisco 49ers entered last offseason with a quiet need at wide receiver. Now, after trading Deebo Samuel Sr. to the Washington Commanders for a fifth-round pick, that need is more urgent.
Although Samuel had requested a trade in his end-of-season meeting, parting ways with him wasn’t easy for general manager John Lynch, who drafted him in 2019.
“There is a lot of love there,” Lynch said this week at the NFL combine. “There’s a lot of respect there. There’s a lot of shared experiences, so to let that go, that’s difficult. But time happens, and if it makes sense for both sides, you at least give it a chance.”
With Samuel gone, wide receiver becomes a bigger priority for the 49ers this offseason, just behind fixing the offensive and defensive lines.
Aiyuk’s Recovery Is Key
With Samuel out of the picture, Brandon Aiyuk is expected to be the 49ers’ top receiver. However, he is still recovering from a torn ACL and MCL in his right knee, an injury he suffered in October against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Aiyuk signed a four-year, $120 million extension before last season, solidifying his role as the team’s No. 1 target. But his recovery timeline remains uncertain.
Lynch said Aiyuk is making progress and will meet with Dr. Neal ElAttrache soon for an update.
“He’s putting in the work,” Lynch said. “That’s what you have to do. And I’ve always said the real top-end athletes tend to heal at a little faster rate, and I think that’s going on with Brandon as well, but there’s like a big test at some point. … We’ll see where that lies.”
Jennings Expected to Step Up
While Aiyuk rehabs, the 49ers will likely lean on Jauan Jennings, who put together a breakout season in 2024. He set career highs with 77 receptions, 975 yards, and six touchdowns, finishing 10th in the NFL in yards per route run (2.51) while recording just one drop all year.
Jennings’ physicality as a blocker has always been a key part of his game, and Kyle Shanahan values that element in his offense. Jennings, entering the final year of his contract, carries a $4.258 million cap hit in 2025, and another strong season could make it difficult for the 49ers to keep him beyond next year.
“I proved I just never give up,” Jennings said. “First quarter, the fourth quarter, first snap to last snap. JJ just never gives up.”
Pearsall’s Development Will Be Crucial
With Samuel gone, Ricky Pearsall has an opportunity to take on a bigger role. His rookie season was anything but smooth—hamstring and shoulder injuries kept him out of most of training camp, and he missed the first six games of the season after being shot in the chest in an alleged attempted robbery.
When Pearsall returned, it took time to get into rhythm, but he showed flashes late in the year. Over the final three weeks, he recorded 18 catches for 247 yards and two touchdowns, hinting at his potential as a reliable weapon.
The 49ers are counting on Pearsall to take a leap in Year 2, especially since Jennings’ future with the team is uncertain.
“I’m definitely excited to build on stuff that I left off on and continue to grow as a player,” Pearsall said. “And now I know what’s expected. I’m not going to be a rookie anymore, so nothing’s going to be really new, so I’ll be able to definitely grow.”
Will the 49ers Add Another Receiver?
Even if Jennings and Pearsall step up, the 49ers are likely to bring in more help. They have 11 draft picks and could pursue a veteran free agent like Robert Woods, Darius Slayton, or Amari Cooper if the price is right.
While they aren’t expected to use their No. 11 overall pick on a receiver, they could consider Arizona’s Tetairoa McMillan if he’s the best player available. Other prospects like Missouri’s Luther Burden III and Ole Miss’ Tre Harris could be options in the second round or with a slight trade-up.
Last offseason, the 49ers signed Chris Conley and Trent Taylor while drafting Pearsall and Jacob Cowing. Given Samuel’s departure, expect them to follow a similar plan in the coming weeks.
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This report used information from ESPN.
