Raise your hand if you're familiar with wide receiver Malik Knowles' game.
You're forgiven if you didn't raise your hand.
Knowles, who joined the San Francisco 49ers last June on a one-year contract, isn't someone most fans would know about. Going undrafted in 2023 out of Kansas State, the big-bodied Knowles ultimately signed with the Minnesota Vikings his rookie season and then spent a portion of 2024 on the Green Bay Packers' practice squad.
To date, though, the 6-foot-2 and 196-pound receiver has yet to appear in a regular-season game at the NFL level.
Fortunately for him, the back end of the Niners' receiving depth chart is awfully fluid. Tack on recent news surrounding veteran wideout Jauan Jennings and his contract demands, which include a trade request if no extension can be had, and the fluidity of said depth chart only increases.
Knowles is one of a few wide receivers toward the back end of the depth chart who may benefit from a Jennings standoff.
And maybe, just maybe, that's a ticket to earning a spot on San Francisco's 53-man roster.
Malik Knowles can take advantage if Jauan Jennings skips training camp
Jennings is reportedly going to attend training camp, although it wouldn't be shocking if he stages a "hold-in" where he's physically present to avoid fines but opts not to participate in on-field drills.
This effectively bumps every receiver ranked below him up a spot on the depth chart, and Knowles is no exception.
Knowles, whose five-year collegiate career ended with his personal-best 725-yard campaign in 2022, has modest benefit by being a return specialist yet lacks the physicality Jennings possesses, both as a blocker and in breaking tackles. One can get the idea here via NFL.com's Lance Zierlein on the receiver's draft profile:
"Perimeter receiver with adequate measurables and above-average value as a kick returner. Knowles is an angular route runner who is much more effective on longer-developing routes that allow him to win with tempo through turns. Lacking suddenness, he will struggle beating press and uncovering underneath. He requires a runway to find his speed on run-after-catch throws. Knowles is athletic and smooth as a pass-catcher but might be limited to a role as a potential WR5/6 with kick return value."
From this, Knowles is certainly not a piece-for-piece replacement for Jennings, should the latter not partake in camp. But, there are enough intangibles there for the fringe receiver to at least showcase some talent to San Francisco's coaching staff.
What's potentially presented is a bigger opportunity for the tall-bodied receiver, and Knowles will have increased visibility to take advantage of it.
While it's a long shot, this could ultimately lead to a better chance of cracking the 49ers' 53-man roster, should Knowles put himself on the proverbial map for all the right reasons.