If you’re buying into the notion the San Francisco 49ers should and will go out and sign a proven free-agent wide receiver, think again.
Sure, the Niners could potentially have a need, especially after trading away Deebo Samuel earlier this offseason while expecting to place fellow wideout Brandon Aiyuk on the physically unable-to-perform list after he suffered a torn ACL and MCL last season. After all, putting a lot of faith in Jauan Jennings and second-year pro Ricky Pearsall is a risky proposition.
One we even acknowledged.
Suggestions, primarily from Moe Moton of Bleacher Report, pinned veteran free agents like Keenan Allen and Amari Cooper to San Francisco, both of whom could deliver proven talent at a cost-effective rate.
Possibly. But, one well-respected NFL insider doesn’t think the 49ers will end up following that course.
Albert Breer suggests 49ers are ‘well-prepared’ with their WR room
In an MMQB mailbag, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer was asked whether or not the Niners would go out and sign a free-agent wide receiver.
Not asked specifically about Allen or Cooper, Breer nevertheless felt San Francisco was set with its on-roster options and wouldn’t fish the market for upgrades and reinforcements:
“They’re well-prepared for the possibility that Brandon Aiyuk isn’t full-go when the season starts. Ricky Pearsall will certainly get a shot to have a bigger role in the offense, Jauan Jennings is a reliable complementary piece, and from there they have a promising young guy in Jacob Cowing, plus DeMarcus Robinson coming over from the Rams and some depth behind George Kittle for their two tight-end looks.”
In short, Breer felt the 49ers are comfortable enough with their options, which is an argument that makes more sense in light of All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey returning from an injury-plagued 2024 campaign.
True, banking on Jennings to replicate last year’s career-best efforts while expecting Pearsall to take a year-two leap might be a lot.
But, correctly or not, Breer hints that’s the outlook the Niners have right now.
