The 49ers have the best offensive weapons in the NFL, and that includes the forgotten man, Jauan Jennings.
Jennings is the 49ers’ fifth option and he almost never gets the ball when the top four weapons are healthy. Of course, I’m talking Christian McCaffrey, Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel and George Kittle. Those four were healthy last week, and so Jennings caught just one pass.
But when one of those Big 4 weapons goes down, such as when Deebo Samuel left the divisional playoff game against the Packers with a shoulder injury, Jennings always is the one who steps up and plays like a game changer. Remember, he had 5 catches for 61 yards against the Packers, including an incredibly clutch 21-yard catch on 3rd and 10 while trailing in the fourth quarter.
It’s hard enough to cover McCaffrey, Aiyuk, Samuel and Kittle. It’s impossible to cover all four of them and Jennings at the same time. He’s open most of the time. Throw him the ball more than one or twice a game.
Jennings is the 49ers’ secret weapon. They love to laud his blocking, because he’s the best blocking wide receiver in the NFL. They also call him the best route runner on the team — even better than Aiyuk. So throw Jennings the freaking ball.
All he needs is opportunities. When the 49ers give them to him, he comes through. He’s the best fifth option in the league — even better than Kyle Juszczyk, who used to be the 49ers’ fifth option.
Jennings will be a restricted free agent this offseason, which means the Super Bowl could be his final game with the 49ers. Don’t waste it.