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49ers WR Jauan Jennings named fantasy football breakout candidate

Originally posted on 49ers Webzone | By David Bonilla | Last updated Jul 19, 2025 3:13 PM ET

The San Francisco 49ers need to resolve the potential contract standoff looming with veteran wide receiver Jauan Jennings, who has been thrust into the WR1 role following Deebo Samuel's departure and Brandon Aiyuk's continued recovery from ACL and MCL injuries.

Earlier this week, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that Jennings—entering the final year of his current contract—is seeking an extension. If a deal isn't reached, the veteran wideout reportedly plans to request a trade.

Jennings is coming off a breakout 2024 season in which he set career highs with 77 receptions, 975 receiving yards, and six touchdowns. Notably, his yardage total exceeded his combined output from the previous three seasons (963 receiving yards from 2021–2023).

CBS Sports writer Ryan Wooden recently highlighted Jennings as a top fantasy football breakout candidate for 2025, thanks to his elevated role in San Francisco's offense.

"It's not often that a fifth-year player can be considered a breakout, but that's the position Jennings is in thanks to the Niners' wide receiver room," Wooden wrote.

Jennings began last season as the team's third receiver but did an outstanding job stepping in for Aiyuk following his injury. Jennings and second-year wideout Ricky Pearsall are projected to start in Week 1 of the 2025 season.

Wooden believes Jennings is fully capable of handling the increased responsibility as quarterback Brock Purdy's top target at wide receiver.

"Jennings certainly showed he can handle being the alpha receiver, as across his 10 starts last year, he averaged 5.9 receptions for 76.7 yards and six total touchdowns," Wooden explained." Over a 17-start season, that projects to 100 catches for 1,310 yards and 10 touchdowns."

Wooden also pointed out that both Samuel and Aiyuk found fantasy success in Kyle Shanahan's offense—Samuel twice finishing as a top-10 fantasy receiver, and Aiyuk ranking in the top 15 twice. That highlights Jennings' fantasy potential as a mid-to-late round sleeper in 2025 fantasy football drafts.

As long as Jennings remains in San Francisco and avoids contract-related distractions, he could emerge as one of the best fantasy football wide receiver values this season.