I got time today.
Let's take a look at our Wide Receivers
Wide Receivers
Ricky Pearsall - Unlike Ricky from Boyz in the Hood. This Ricky got shot and made it. Despite that he spent most of the season recovering and getting back into shape and showed flashes of why he was drafted in the 1st round the last few games. Despite a hamstring injury Ricky Pearsall in year 2 so far has had an excellent camp making some circus catches and and even a big TD. Ricky Pearsall if schemed properly can be a menace. He is not the largest WR at 6'1 185 but he is football fast and more than that has elite agility. He has the ability to put opposing corners in an absolute blender and leaving them dumbfounded and dizzy. My biggest concern is if he can stay healthy as he has had some hamstring issues as he will be absolutely integral to the teams success during and after (potentially) the regular season.
Performance: INC but promising toward
Potential: A-
Overall: B
Jauan Jennings - After a breakout season last year Jauan Jennings is looking for a bigger contract. I cannot say I blame him. He has steadily improved each year and is among the most underrated receivers in the NFL. He has proven he is not just a slot but has the size and ability to be a very good #2 receiver as well. Jennings is not fast but he makes up for it in power. He is a punishing blocker who not only likes to stonewall defenders but block through them. He won't razzle dazzle you with slick footwork but he has worked on his route running over the years and his 6'3 225 lb makes him bigger and stronger than 95% of the NFL defensive backs and he will fight you whether its for the ball or not. Because he does not really have a second gear it does limit him from being a #1 receiver but he is a big pass catcher and that is needed to balance out a WR room and he has proven himself in big games and in crunch time. Pay the man.
Performance: B+
Potential: B-
Overall: B
DeMarcus Robinson - NFL Veteran receiver last seen on the LA Rams. Robinson had about 500 yards receiving and 7 TDs. He's going to serve a 3 gane suspension for a DUI but he is all rounder. He isn't great at anything but he is good at everything. He is 30 but it's a low mileage 30. He is still a solid if not spectacular athlete who runs routes well is a willing blocker and knows how to exploit bad corners especially within the 30 yard line. He is going to make a few key catches similar to guys like Emmanuel Sanders or Chris Conley
Performance: B-
Potential: B-
Overall: B-
Brandon Aiyuk - 2020 1st round draft pick. Aiyuk up through 2023 has steadily improved each year. With a rousing endorsement by former NFL head coach Herm Edwards who was the coach at Arizona State at the time. Aiyuk had a break out year in 2023 due to Brock Purdy being his favorite target and having a borderline top 10 season as a receiver as a result. As such Aiyuk demanded a new contract in which the 49ers agreed and gave him an huge contract as a result after making a stink on social media. Then in 2024 in week 7 he tears his MCL and ACL and he's been sitting out ever since. When healthy Aiyuk while not a true #1 can produce at a very high level. He is an elite route runner and while his is not as fast as his 4.45 40 time may suggest, but his quickness and foot work allow him to separate from most defensive backs and make key catches. This was not the case last season even prior to getting hurt. Aiyuk acted like a diva and did not separate as well as he usually does. Maybe it was rust or a hangover from the Superbowl, who knOw? Either way Aiyuk is out for the forseeable future and will need time to ramp up and become close to his old self. Really he won't be ready until next year.
Performance: C-
Potential: B+
Overall: C+
Jacob Cowing - Second year receiver from Arizona. Cowing is a smaller receiver but was an incredible speedster and it showed in college and his few snaps in the NFL. Cowing was incredibly small but one thing should be noted he benched 13 reps on his pro day IIRC, that is quite strong for a receiver that size and it showed because he was harder to bring down than you think. Fast forward to 2025. Cowing was clearly in the 'lab' this offseason. He looks considerably bigger and stronger. What little camp footage I could find, he looks like he has bulked to at least 175-180. Has refined his route running and has a chance at getting many more snaps due to the injuries/suspensions. Unti Ricky Pearsall came back many thought he was the best/2nd best receiver n the field this far in. Shanahan/Kubiak are going find snaps that take advantage of his speed.
Performance: C+
Potential: B+
Overall: B
Jordan Watkins - 2025 4th round draft pick from Ole Miss. Watkins is a a little smaller than Ricky Pearsall at 5'11 but he has a thick build at around 200lbs. He reminds me a little of Deebo Samuel as he played runningback in high school before converting to a WR later on. Watkins shows incredible speed as he again ran a sub 4.4 and while his tape did not always reflect that speed the thing that impressed me more is that he was making plays on shallow routes, intermediate routes and on long passes. He avg 18.6 yards per catch and did it with YAC as well. He needs to continue to evolve his route tree as a pro but he has the raw tools to do that as he has good footwork and exits his breaks cleanly, this is also important because he was not a big separator he made most of his plays either bing schemes open or out speeding slower players. The other thing is, his arms are on the short side so he doesn't have the biggest catch radius. The latter doesn't concern me so much because of Brock Purdy's general accuracy and his anticipation he always tries to throw it in a place where the receiver does not have to break stride. He may be able to find snaps early as a special teams punt returner.
Performance: B-
Potential: B+
Overall B
Isaiah Neyor - UDFA Rookie from Wyoming. He is 24 years old so a little older for a rookie and he didn't produce a lot of yards even though he had 17 Career TDs and avg 18.6 yards a catch. He has elite measurables. 6'4, 220 with 4.4 speed profile. He also has a 7 foot wingspan, meaning he has a huge catch radius. Well why wasn't he drafted some may ask. He was basically a post route merchant. He basically was told to run fast and get open. He has no route tree to speak of and he would need to develop it. The other issue is his effort comes and goes and at times he won't fight for the ball or play to his size. Despite that he as apparently turning heads as he has already made some big catches and has played with the 2nd team at times. I originally thought he was an intriguing practice squad prospect. I now think it is necessary to get him on the 53 man roster or 'redshirt' him with an 'injury'. He gets snatched up if you put him on a practice squad. This could be a project that really pays off Isaiah puts in the effort and increases his football IQ.
Performance: C-
Potential: B+
Overall: C+
Junior Bergen - 7th round pick from the 2025 draft. Bergen is going to San Francisco to specifically be special teams player particularly punt returns. Even so it may be better to practice squad this player and have Cowing return punts.
Performance: D
Potential: C
Overall D+
Isaiah Hodgins - Former Buffalo 6th rounder. He had his best year with the Giants but it just goes to show how much receivers change and rotate in the league. I think he gets cut by the end of camp.
Performance: D
Potential: C
Overall D
Marquez Calloway - After a promising 2nd year with the Saints, he's been couchsurfing (going from practice squad to practice squad) the past 3 seasons. He may stay on the practice squad after but it doesn't seem likely he makes the roster.
Performance: D
Potential: C-
Overall D-
Russell Gage Jr - Hasn't played football in 2 years after suffering an injury in 2023. He is already 29 and while he seems to be having a good camp (quite good by some reports). He is playing for a last contract on another team, in my opinion.
Performance: D+
Potential: F
Overall: D-
Trent Taylor - Former 49er. Trent has bounced around since being drafted in 2017. He had a promising rookie year but has been sidelined by injuries. Most likely he was brought in to compete for a position as a punt returner but he has lost most of his speed and Kyle probably brought him in as a final chance to stay in the NFL. I would surprised if he wasn't a cut/medical waive candidate as he is currently injured
Performance: F
Potential: D
Overall: D-
Terrique Owens - 2024 UFA. Terrique is the son of Terell Owens. Terrique to me will be among the 1st wave of cuts. He has his fathers size and build but he doesn't have his other qualities. He alledgedly ran a 4.5 but it doesn't show on tape, everything he does is average or a little below average in category. Might want to start looking at polishing up his resume.
Performance: F
Potential: C-
Overall D-
Andy Isabella - Journeyman player. Former 2019 2nd round pick. His career never took off after a somewhat promising start. I think he's a camp body, nothing more.
Performance: F
Potential: F
Overall F
Unit Analysis - Outside of the veterans like Jennings and Aiyuk and Robinson, most of the receivers are first and second years and are very young. A lot of talent but they will have to work hard and get right. There will be as much spectacular catches as much as head scratchers and dropped passes. But this where the coaches earn their money. They have work to do.
Unit Grade: C+
Parsons tends to go missing when you need him most way more than Bosa. He didn't do shyt in the games we had against Dallas
