Jauan Jennings, San Francisco 49ers
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(Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
The Las Vegas Raiders not only need to find protection for the projected No. 1 overall pick, Fernando Mendoza, but they also need to get him some weapons outside of Brock Bowers and Ashton Jeanty.
Entering free agency, the Silver and Black have roughly $91.5 million to spend,per Over the Cap. As a result, they could dip into the open market to find another option for Mendoza next season.
Although there’s no No. 1 wideout in free agency, there are players who could fill that No. 2 role in the wide receiver depth chart. For ESPN’s Bill Barnwell, the Raiders should go the veteran route and sign San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings.
“Jauan Jennings is older than you would think,”Barnwell said on the Feb. 18 edition of “The Bill Barnwell Show.” “I think he’s 29 this year, but there’s not a reliable third‑down target on this roster beyond Brock Bowers. I think his physicality, size, blocking ability, and performance on third downs in the red zone all signal his value.
“It’s not just that he happened to catch passes on third down or in the red zone; he is a really good contested‑catch, tight‑window player. Apparently, he played through five broken ribs last year, which shows his toughness.
Raiders HC Klint Kubiak Could See Value in Jauan Jennings
With Deebo Samuel gone and Brandon Aiyuk not playing in 2025, Jennings took advantage of the increased role with the Niners, as he had 55 catches for 643 yards and scored nine touchdowns in 15 games in 2025,per StatMuse.
Although the Raiders would likely want a player younger than Jennings, he brings traits that head coach Klint Kubiak values in a wideout, traits he had as offensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks.
“You might want a player who’s a little younger with more upside, but they need to add multiple starting‑caliber receivers to make this offense work,“ Barnwell added.
“I think he could be a better version of the Cooper Kupp role that Klint Kubiak had last year, being a good blocker, stretching the field a bit, and providing reliable hands. He should also come at a pretty reasonable price.”
Meanwhile, on Feb. 16, The Athletic’s Ted Nguyen floated Jennings’ name as a potential free agent target for the Silver and Black.
“Jauan Jennings could be an interesting signing for Kubiak,“Nguyen wrote on X. “Natural fit in the system obviously. High-level run blocker and could be a nice compliment to [Brock] Bowers.”
Jauan Jennings’ Contract Prediction
As for what type of contract Jennings could be looking for, The Athletic’s Daniel Popper projects the veteran wideout getting a three-year, $42 million contract.
“Jennings is a big, physical receiver who can win through contact,“ Popper wrote in his article published on Feb. 18. “He was a red zone weapon in 2025, finishing with seven touchdowns inside the 20, tied for the third-most in the NFL.
“Jennings is an asset as a blocker in the run game, the best blocking receiver in this free-agent class. Jennings plays with urgency and edge, and he is explosive in his releases off the line of scrimmage.”