Jordan Watkins probably secretly wishes the San Francisco 49ers didn't spend considerable effort this offseason revamping their wide receiver room.
But they did, adding proven veterans like Mike Evans and Christian Kirk while investing a top draft pick in a speedy big-bodied blocker, De'Zhaun Stribling. Coupled with the incumbents—Ricky Pearsall, Demarcus Robinson, Jacob Cowing and Watkins—it's not hard to see just how crowded the receiver room got in an offseason's time.
And that doesn't exactly bode well for the second-year pro out of Ole Miss, even though there wasn't exactly much Watkins could do about those transactions.
Watkins generated plenty of buzz after the Niners drafted him in Round 4 a year ago, even earning praise from quarterback Brock Purdy during offseason workouts. Unfortunately, a high-ankle sprain during the preseason delayed his development, and he ultimately wasn't able to contribute much despite San Francisco's notable receiver shortages over the course of 2025.
He finished with two receptions on three targets for 26 yards over four games played.
Perhaps the 49ers are hopeful Watkins occupies a bigger role in year two, but all the changes at the position pretty much indicate that'll be a tough job to grab, putting the receiver in serious roster jeopardy.
Jordan Watkins is already under roster-related pressure to deliver in Year 2
Evans, Pearsall and Stribling are all effectively guaranteed roster spots, while Kirk and Robinson stand good chances of surviving final roster cuts ahead of Week 1, although Kirk is dealing with a camp injury.
That injury, of course, could be a secret blessing for players like Watkins, though, as the increased field time mean more reps and a chance to solidify his role. Assuming Kirk would be a slot-type receiver, the 5-foot-11 Watkins learning those nuances and displaying them would go a long way toward claiming one of the back-end spots on the depth chart.
Of course, that might mean the Niners would have to bid farewell to an older, more-established receiver like Robinson or Cowing, though.
To make the cut, Watkins has to demonstrate some serious growth despite not seeing much of the field his rookie season. And he'll also have to outplay the competition, likely pushing off names with a bit more seniority than he has.
If he doesn't, then there's a decent chance San Francisco gives up on the Watkins experiment, leaving him to an uncertain fate.
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