49ers predictions: 5 dark-horse additions to 53-man roster in 2021

No. 1: 49ers WR Jauan Jennings

San Francisco has its top two wide receivers set for 2021: Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel. After those two, though, it’s an open-ended guess who winds up rounding out a depth chart at the position, which could include five or six total.

One of the candidates is second-year pro Jauan Jennings, the 49ers’ final pick of the 2020 NFL Draft, who had a rough training camp despite his pedigree for breaking tackles at Tennessee.

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It was pretty apparent Jennings, who never had speed on his side, suffered from the lack of a regular offseason program because of the pandemic. He could have used that time to hone his route-running abilities while also mastering Kyle Shanahan’s complex offense. Doing so on online meetings simply isn’t the same as on-field reps.

Nevertheless, the Niners are still seeking that reliable third-down possession receiver in the wake of Kendrick Bourne departing via free agency for the New England Patriots. The 6-foot-3, 215-pound Jennings has the advantage of being one of the bigger-bodied wideouts on San Francisco’s offseason roster, potentially putting him ahead of some of the other shorter players vying for one of the last two or three spots on the depth chart.

If a hamstring injury didn’t hamper his development on the practice squad last year, it might be a safer bet for Jennings to make the cut this year.

Despite that, a strong camp in 2021 could propel Jennings to earn his spot and a potentially crucial role this season.