The San Francisco 49ers’ wide receiver room has undergone a serious transformation since their last Super Bowl appearance just two seasons ago. Gone are the days when Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel, George Kittle, and Christian McCaffrey were lighting up defenses with explosive plays on a weekly basis. Now, the 49ers find themselves at a crossroads, staring down an offseason where retooling the receiving corps isn’t just a priority-it’s a necessity.
From Explosive to Uncertain
Let’s rewind for a second. In 2023, Aiyuk emerged as a bonafide WR1, racking up 1,342 yards and averaging a staggering 17.9 yards per catch.
He hauled in 28 receptions of 20+ yards, making chunk plays look routine. Deebo Samuel wasn’t far behind, averaging 14.9 yards per reception and tallying 15 explosive plays of his own.
That duo, paired with Kittle and McCaffrey, gave San Francisco one of the most dangerous, balanced offenses in recent memory.
Fast forward to this past season, and the production tells a different story. As a team, the Niners totaled 51 receptions of 20 yards or more-still solid, but a noticeable dip.
Aiyuk, Samuel, Kittle, and McCaffrey had 65 of those plays combined in 2023. Injuries played a big role in that decline.
Ricky Pearsall, who looked poised to be a breakout deep threat early in the year, was limited to just nine games. Even so, he tied for the team lead in 20+ yard receptions with nine, alongside Jauan Jennings and Kittle.
Strengths: Reliable Hands in a Shaky Setup
Despite the overall drop-off, there were bright spots. Pearsall, for example, had only one drop all year.
Demarcus Robinson matched that mark, and even Jennings-whose game is built more on physicality than finesse-was steady, though less efficient in contested catch situations. Pearsall excelled in those moments, converting 9 of 11 contested targets.
Robinson wasn’t far behind, going 6-for-8.
In an offense that thrives on timing and rhythm, having receivers who consistently secure the ball is critical. The main pass-catchers did their part in that regard.
The problem? That’s where the list of positives starts to get thin.
Weaknesses: Health, Depth, and a Talent Gap
Let’s not sugarcoat it-this isn’t a deep or particularly dynamic group. Jennings deserves credit for being a go-to option on third down, but when injuries hit, the cracks in the foundation were impossible to ignore.
Pearsall’s absence for half the season was a major blow. He wasn’t just a vertical threat-75% of his catches went for first downs.
But when he went down, the 49ers were forced to lean on Jennings as their top wideout. And while Jennings is a gritty, high-effort player, he’s best suited as a WR3, not a WR1.
That domino effect forced the team into heavier personnel groupings and limited their flexibility.
Jennings missed time. Rookie Jordan Watkins never found his footing due to an in-season setback.
Kendrick Bourne flashed with two monster performances, but over half of his production came in just those two games. Against top-tier secondaries like Cleveland and Seattle, he struggled to separate.
The Seahawks’ corners barely broke a sweat.
That left the 49ers rolling out names that even diehard fans had to double-check. Skyy Moore was used sparingly. Malik Turner made a playoff cameo, which says more about the state of the depth chart than anything else.
The Scheme Can’t Do It All
Kyle Shanahan’s scheme has long been praised for elevating talent, and it did just that again this season. The system put Bourne in position for back-to-back 150-yard games.
It created one-on-one chances for Robinson. But even the best scheme can’t manufacture separation on third-and-long or create yards after the catch when the talent isn’t there.
The numbers back it up. The 49ers didn’t have a single wide receiver finish in the top 50 in YAC (yards after catch).
Jennings forced 10 missed tackles-same as Aiyuk in 2023-but the efficiency wasn’t close. The passer rating when targeting Jennings lagged significantly behind what Aiyuk brought to the table just two seasons ago.
The drop-off in explosive plays from 2023 to 2025 is jarring. And it’s not just about scheme-it’s about a clear gap in raw talent and athleticism.
What Now? The 2026 WR Room Needs a Facelift
The writing’s on the wall: it’s time to turn the page on the Jauan Jennings era in San Francisco. He’s earned the chance to test free agency, and the 49ers need to prioritize adding more versatile, explosive playmakers to the room.
Demarcus Robinson is under contract for one more year, and if he’s your WR3, you’re in decent shape. He could essentially slide into Jennings’ role.
Kendrick Bourne and Skyy Moore are both free agents. Moore might get a look thanks to his return skills, but he’ll need to bring more to the table as a receiver to justify a roster spot.
That leaves a shaky depth chart:
- Ricky Pearsall - Talented, but needs to stay healthy.
- Demarcus Robinson - Reliable, but limited ceiling.
- Jacob Cowing & Jordan Watkins - Day 3 picks who haven’t proven they can stay on the field.
Counting on Cowing or Watkins to take a leap would be more hope than strategy. Pearsall has the tools, but he’s not immune to the injury bug either.
Trade Market? Draft? Both?
The 49ers may look to the trade market, but the options are complicated. Big names like Justin Jefferson and A.J.
Brown carry massive cap implications unless moved after June 1. Jaylen Waddle’s contract is more manageable, and with this being the final year of guaranteed money, he’s an intriguing target.
Still, any move of that magnitude would require top-tier draft capital-something San Francisco doesn’t exactly have in abundance. And even if they do swing for the fences, they’ll have to balance that with needs at edge rusher and safety.
The good news? Quality receivers can be found outside the first round.
The bad news? You have to hit on those picks-and the 49ers can’t afford to miss.
Bottom Line
This offseason, the 49ers need to reshape their wide receiver room with a focus on durability, explosiveness, and versatility. The days of relying on scheme to cover for a lack of talent are over.
It’s time to get bigger, faster, and more dynamic on the outside. Easier said than done-but if San Francisco wants to stay in the Super Bowl conversation, it’s a challenge they can’t afford to ignore.