Why 49ers WR Jauan Jennings is the Perfect Trade Target for the Chargers

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Jennings recently told 49ers brass that he wants either a new contract or to be traded to a team willing to pay him. According to Schefter, if Jennings doesn’t secure a new deal by the start of training camp next week, he’ll request a trade.

It doesn’t seem like the Niners are very eager to give Jennings that new contract either, as a source told Schefter they believe they have “treated [Jennings] fairly.”

If he hits the market, it could be an excellent opportunity for the Chargers for several reasons. The first is because San Francisco doesn’t have much leverage in a trade scenario, as Jennings will need a new deal with any team he’s traded to. This will likely reduce the trade assets necessary to acquire him.

Another reason why it's a great opportunity is his seamless fit with the Chargers’ culture and offensive scheme. For starters, Jennings is one of the best blocking receivers in the league, a necessity for the Chargers' run-first offense. Below is one example of why that’s the case, highlighting his talent in that area and his eagerness to get involved in the run game.

In a time where the relationship between wide receivers and corners regarding blocking often comes down to “let’s fake it,” Jennings is one of the few who still gets after it.

This physicality also translates to his ability with the ball in his hands. Here’s Jennings on a critical third and long during the fourth quarter of a huge divisional game, catching the ball and dragging four defenders with him for the first.

Jennings wasn’t drafted with the expectation that he would be a productive WR2, but when Brandon Aiyuk tore his ACL in Week 7 last year, he got the opportunity to do just that. In Week 10, Jennings' first game back from a hip injury, he helped the 49ers take down the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with a seven-catch, 93-yard performance, showcasing his ability to be a productive offensive contributor.

Jennings could be a game-changing wide receiver for the Chargers, providing elite run-blocking for first-round pick Omarion Hampton, reliable hands for quarterback Justin Herbert, and helping to foster head coach Jim Harbaugh’s grinder mentality within a young wide receiver group.

We’re still several steps away from this trade being a realistic possibility, but the Chargers should be running for the phones if Jennings becomes available.