49ers NFL Draft: San Francisco’s best, worst moves in 2020

49ers’ Most Provocative Move in the 2020 NFL Draft: Selecting Jauan Jennings

Back at the NFL Scouting Combine, Niner Noise suggested Tennessee wide receiver Jauan Jennings likely fell off the 49ers’ draft big board following what ended up being a forgettable performance.

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Granted, Jennings was never a speed burner at the collegiate level. But his 4.72 40-yard time and 29-inch vertical leap were pretty bad numbers, and combined with a checked past with the Volunteers, one had to wonder if San Francisco had any interest at all.

Especially considering Kyle Shanahan puts a higher priority on speed and separation skills, not physicality, which Jennings assuredly has.

Yet the Niners made Jennings their seventh-round pick anyway, not worrying too much about the speed issues or red flags, instead hoping for some of the other traits the 6-foot-3, 215-pound receiver flashed back in college.

On the positive side, teams are essentially “throwing darts” when they’re picking in Round 7, and these prospects have a long shot to make the roster, let alone secure a significant role.

Still, Shanahan going away from one of the bigger traits he prefers, speed, in favor of an element many of his other pass catchers lack, strength, was an interesting move.

Unless the 49ers are trying to vary their wide receiver corps, which is entirely possible.