Keenan Allen will replace what 49ers sorely miss from Jauan Jennings

Just a few weeks ago, the San Francisco 49ers were trying to make a trade that would reunite them with Jauan Jennings. It turns out Jennings was content with the Minnesota Vikings, so a deal did not work out.

But that may end up being a blessing in disguise because it forced the Niners to trade for Keenan Allen, who is basically a better version of Jennings.

While Jennings was a key part of San Francisco’s offense for so many years, especially as a target on third downs, the fact he has essentially been a non-factor in Minnesota’s offense shows that maybe he perhaps only fit in San Francisco’s offense.

Allen, on the other hand, has had success with different teams and different offenses, even if the bulk of his career has been spent with the Los Angeles Chargers. Even with a bad Indianapolis Colts team, Allen has put up solid numbers with 40 receptions for 351 yards and a touchdown this season.

49ers have their Jauan Jennings replacement in Keenan Allen

Jennings may have been great at converting third downs, but so is Allen. A recent graph shared by the social media account @sfdata9ers shows Allen has gotten 17 third-down targets this season and has converted over half the time:

His ex-teammate, Josh Downs, has converted at a higher rate with one more target. But having Allen in the fold when there are other weapons like Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle, Deebo Samuel, and potentially Mike Evans will just give Allen more space to work with and could turn him into Brock Purdy’s favorite target on third down.

Allen doesn’t have a ton of speed, but neither did Jennings. Both are successful because of their physicality and their ability to block—two things head coach Kyle Shanahan absolutely requires in his receivers. 

While Jennings knows a lot of San Francisco’s verbiage, which would have made it easier for him to come in and play pretty much right away, Allen is a smart veteran. So, even though it might take him a little time to understand the whole playbook and all of the language used, he should be just fine.

The main advantage Jennings may have over Allen is as a quarterback. Allen has completed 20-percent of his passes in his career with one touchdown and one interception. Jennings famously threw two touchdown passes in the playoffs for the Niners, one in the Super Bowl and one last season against the Philadelphia Eagles.

So, Jennings may have the upper hand in that department. But overall, Allen is a better version of Jennings and should give San Francisco’s offense exactly what it needs with other players injured. 

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow