49ers Exit Interviews, Wr: Multiple Upgrades Are Needed To Get Back To 2023 Receiver Room

SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 24: Jauan Jennings #15 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates a touchdown with Ricky Pearsall #1 of the San Francisco 49ers in the first quarter of a NFL game against the Carolina Panthers on November 24, 2025 at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, CA. (Photo by Matthew Huang/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The San Francisco 49ers’ wide receiver room looks drastically different from the team that was in the Super Bowl just two short seasons ago.

Brandon Aiyuk broke out with a 1,342-yard season, averaging 17.9 yards per reception, cementing himself as one of the top wide receivers in the league. Aiyuk had a remarkable 28 receptions of at least 20 yards. Deebo Samuel was one of the best sidekicks, averaging 14.9 yards per reception. Deebo had 15 receptions of at least 20 yards and gave the Niners one of the best run-after-catch threats.

Jauan Jennings was on the roster, but it may surprise some to know he only had 19 receptions that season. The four horsemen of one of the most prolific offenses of the decade were Aiyuk, Samuel, George Kittle, and Christian McCaffrey.

This past season, the 49ers totaled 51 receptions of 20+ yards as a team. Ayiuk, Samuel, Kittle, and McCaffrey had 65 themselves in 2023. Ricky Pearsall was well on his way to challenging Aiyuk’s ’23 number to begin the season, but injuries limited Pearsall to just nine games played. Pearsall tied for the team lead with 20+ yard receptions at nine with Jennings and Kittle.

Will we see a complete revamp of the wide receiver room this offseason? Let’s look at the current strengths and weaknesses before we decide.

Strengths

Hands

While it may have felt like the dropped passes added up, he only finished the season with three drops on 90 targets. Ricky Pearsall only had one drop, while Demarcus Robinson only had one as well.

Jennings game is predicated on contested situations, and he only caught 56 percent of those this past season. So, that’s where it felt like the “drops” really came into play. However, Pearsall was 9-for-11 in contested situations while Robinson was 6-for-8. The main wide receivers were consistent in catching the ball this season, which is critical in an offense that gets you open underneath.

Weaknesses

There is no reason to sugarcoat it. This is not a strong group. It’s tough to come up with multiple strengths without reaching. Jauan Jennings deserves credit for being near the top of the league in third-down receptions, but that’s where the praise comes to a screeching halt.

Health

Ricky Pearsall’s value might be underrated, considering 75 percent of his receptions resulted in first downs. He was the downfield threat that could stretch the field and open up things at the first level for everybody else.

But, and there’s always a but, when you miss half the season, your team is relying on Jennings as the No. 1 wideout. For as much of a fan favorite as Jennings is, he’s closer to a high-end WR3 than a low-end WR1. Then the domino effect comes into play because you’re now targeting Kendrick Bourne, or you can only run 12 and 13 personnel because you don’t trust the other wide receivers on the roster.

Jennings missed a couple of games. Rookie Jordan Watkins couldn’t work his way back into the rotation because he had a setback in-season. You’re not giving your offense any margin for error when the receivers can’t stay on the field.

Depth

Injuries exposed the 49ers’ depth. Over 51 percent of Bourne’s 2025 production came in two games. When he went against quality secondaries like Cleveland and Seattle, he struggled to get open. The Seahawks cornerbacks looked bored guarding Bourne.

Even the most diehard fans would struggle to name the other wideouts on the roster. Skyy Moore plays sparingly. Malik Turner was a thing in the playoffs, which tells you all you need to know. Looking back, it’s a credit to the play-caller and the quarterback that the offense was as productive as it was.

Talent and Athleticism

The scheme allowed Bourne to have those back-to-back 150-plus yard performances. The scheme put Robinson in a situation to have 1-on-1 opportunities down the field. The scheme cannot save you on third downs. The drop-off from 20+ yard plays from 2023 to 2025 is staggering, and it’s largely due to the Grand Canyon-sized gap in talent and athleticism.

The team didn’t have a wide receiver in the top 50 in yards after catch. Jennings was tied for 18th in missed tackles with ten, the same number as Aiyuk in ’23. The difference between the two is about 35 points in passer rating when targeted.

Needless to say, the team is in a difficult spot after the Aiyuk situation this past year, and addressing the issues in the wide receiver room is at the top of the offseason to-do list.

How does the WR room look in 2026?

It’s probably best to close the Jennings as a 49er chapter. It’s the last opportunity for Jennings to cash in as a free agent, while the 49ers need more versatility and explosiveness. It was a fun run, but it’s time to move on.

Robinson is under contract for one more season. If he is your WR3, you are OK. If anything, Robinson can replace Jennings. Bourne and Moore are free agents. It might be tempting to bring Moore back, given his ability as a returner, but it also puts pressure on Moore to go above and beyond as a returner since he’s not contributing as a receiver.

• Ricky Pearsall
• Demarcus Robinson
• Jacob Cowing
• Jordan Watkins

At this point, counting on Day 3 picks Cowing and Watkins moving forward feels like nothing more than hope. Both need to show they’re capable of staying healthy. Pearsall isn’t exempt from the injury talk, either.

The 49ers would need to offer top draft capital if it plans to swing for the fences in the trade market this offseason. They have little leverage with Aiyuk.

Justin Jefferson’s contract is only tradeable with a post-June 1 designation. A.J. Brown and the Eagles are in a similar boat. Both teams would be up to their necks in dead money by moving those contracts. Jaylen Waddle had a tradeable contract, and this is the final year of guaranteed money in his deal, making him an intriguing option.

The good news is you can find quality receivers after the first round. The bad news is that you have to decide which positions —edge rusher, safety, or wide receiver— are more pressing needs.

The 49ers need to revamp their wide receiver room this offseason by getting bigger bodies who can last the wear and tear of an NFL season. It’s easier said than done from the outside looking in.

How would you fix this room this offseason?