Vikings WR Jauan Jennings Expected To Draw Trade Interest

Based on Jennings’ late breakout during his five-year run in San Francisco, it appeared the 6-foot-3, 212-pounder would give the Vikings a strong pass-catching complement to starting receivers Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. Instead, Jennings has barely been a factor in the team’s passing game during its 5-0 start. Jennings missed one game for personal reasons, but in the four he has played, he has caught just two of five targets for 9 yards and no scores.

With Jennings perhaps not a fit in Minnesota, he could be a name to watch in the run-up to the Nov. 10 trade deadline, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. The belief is that interest in Jennings will “heat up” over the next few weeks, per Rapoport, who names San Francisco as a speculative suitor. Although the 49ers let Jennings walk in March, when he reportedly sought a multiyear pact worth $15MM per annum, the team could circle back as a result of multiple injuries at wideout.

Ricky Pearsall underwent season-ending knee surgery in August, free agent addition Christian Kirk has been on IR all year, and rookie De’Zhaun Stribling is still a ways from returning from a mid-September ankle procedure. Demarcus Robinson, who is also on IR with an an ankle issue, may not be back until after the 49ers’ Week 8 bye. Although Deebo Samuel could avoid an IR stint, the hamstring injury he suffered in the 49ers’ win over the Seahawks on Sunday could lead to a multi-game absence.

Now, as the 49ers prepare to face the Commanders in Week 6, they are down to Mike Evans (who is banged up but still thriving), Brandin Cooks, Jordan Watkins and Jacob Cowing as available receivers on their 53-man roster. They also have Xavier Smith, Wesley Grimes, Malik Turner and Will Pauling on their practice squad, though there is nothing resembling a proven option in that group.

Trading for Jennings or another veteran receiver could make sense for the 49ers, but it is unclear whether the Vikings are willing to move him at all – let alone to a fellow NFC contender. Both clubs are undefeated and vying for the No. 1 seed in the conference, and they will face each other in what could be a crucial game in Mexico City in Week 11. Furthermore, despite his almost nonexistent pass-catching production, the 29-year-old Jennings has won over head coach Kevin O’Connell with his blocking skills.

“What I would say about Jauan is Jauan has done so many things that maybe don’t show up in the stat sheet that’s impacting us really being able to be a little more effective running the football,” O’Connell said (via Emily Leiker of the Minnesota Star Tribune).

If O’Connell and general manager Nolan Teasley part with Jennings, it would leave them with the unestablished Tai Felton and Myles Price behind Jefferson and Addison. They added former star Odell Beckham Jr. to their practice squad last week, though, and Jennings’ departure could clear a path to playing time for him. The Vikings elevated Beckham in Week 5 amid uncertainty over whether Jefferson or Addison were healthy enough to play (Addison wasn’t), but he was inactive for their 23-13 win over the Saints.