4 most important players on 49ers roster who aren’t starters
By Peter Panacy
The 49ers have a playoff-caliber roster in 2022 not just because of All-Pro starters but also quality depth pieces at multiple positions.
One could make the argument any team’s prospects for making the postseason don’t just hinge upon star-caliber first-team players but also upon the reserves and backups.
Without diving too deep between the differences in injuries for the San Francisco 49ers in 2020 and 2021 (they were actually quite close), a simple fact is the Niners’ depth last season was able to overcome numerous injury setbacks.
This wasn’t quite the case the year prior.
Among the examples last season was the reemergence of defensive end Arden Key, whose career-best 6.5 sacks helped alleviate San Francisco losing EDGE Dee Ford for most of 2021.
And while Key turned last year’s numbers into a quality deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2022, he helps illustrate the point: quality backups and non-starters matter.
Entering the upcoming season, let’s take a look at some key backups and rotational players who may not start a lot, if at all this year but will nevertheless shoulder big loads.
No. 4: 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings
Third-year wide receiver Jauan Jennings had himself quite the sophomore campaign a year ago. And while he started only one game, Jennings’ limited impact still paid out in big ways when it happened.
Sure, Jennings’ 24 receptions for 282 yards and five touchdowns during the regular season don’t necessarily jump off the paper. But when one figures 10 of Jennings’ 24 catches came on third downs, eight of them going for first downs, it’s not hard to see why he was so crucial.
Above that, Jennings never shied away from the necessary but thankless role of being an outside blocker. Combine that with his now-shown ability to be a go-to target on third downs, and the 49ers should feel confident letting him continue a much-needed rapport with soon-to-be-starting quarterback Trey Lance.
Yes, the Niners are going to continue featuring All-Pro wide receiver Deebo Samuel, and to a lesser extent, Brandon Aiyuk this season.
But Jennings is still going to be vital.