Raiders can take advantage of NFC team’s latest dilemma

The Las Vegas Raiders still have some questions to answer about their roster makeup in 2025.

The additions of Geno Smith and Ashton Jeanty certainly help, but other spots might not have been adequately addressed. Cornerback has been a question mark, but wide receiver has been another spot where the Raiders have been linked to veteran free agents. While the Raiders did draft three receivers back in April with Jack Bech, Dont’e Thornton Jr. and Tommy Mellott, they would still likely prefer to have a proven option behind Jakobi Meyers.

While the veteran options remaining on the free agent market might not have the highest of ceilings, another opportunity may be presenting itself.

The Raiders could choose to target a NFC team dealing with a shakeup in their receiving corps.

On Monday, ESPN reported that San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings is expected to purse a trade if he cannot come to an agreement on a new contract with his team. If that ends up being the case, CBS Sports’ Cody Benjamin listed the Raiders as a sensible landing spot.

“The Raiders addressed basically every offensive skill spot with a splashy upgrade this offseason — Geno Smith at quarterback, Ashton Jeanty at running back — except receiver,” wrote Benjamin.

“Jack Bech should have an instantly sizable role opposite Jakobi Meyers and tight end Brock Bowers in the pass-catching department, but if Pete Carroll is serious about contending in 2025, well, they could use another set of sure hands. It’s not hard to envision offensive coordinator Chip Kelly finding different ways to deploy Jennings, who could give Smith another proven safety valve through the air.”

It is unlikely that the 49ers will risk losing Jennings, especially since the team has already traded Deebo Samuel to the Washington Commanders and Brandon Aiyuk recovering from a serious knee injury.

However, the Raiders would definitely have interest in Jennings after his breakout 2024 campaign. Last season, Jennings set career-highs across the board with 77 receptions, 975 yards and six touchdowns. If the Raiders do bring in the sixth-year receiver, they would keep the pressure off of the rookies to produce immediately, as well as give the team a backup plan if they cannot come to an agreement with Meyers when his contract expires after this season.

Jennings is another receiver that is not a certainty to make it to the open market, but he is someone worth monitoring if the situation between him and the 49ers escalates.