The San Francisco 49ers believe they found great value in their seventh-round draft pick out of Tennessee, wide receiver Jauan Jennings. Others might say they gambled, but a seventh-round pick is a low-risk bet when the pay-off could be significant.
In one of the deepest rookie receiver classes in recent history, Jennings saw his draft stock fall amid concerns over two suspensions while playing for the Volunteers. An unimpressive showing at the Combine (4.72-second 40-time) didn't help.
The SEC suspended him for half of this year's Gator Bowl following an altercation with a Vanderbilt player. Jennings was flagged for a flagrant personal foul following the incident, and the receiver was accused of stepping on that player's head. Jennings later denied that it was intentional.
Then you have the profanity-filled social media tirade that Jennings went on in 2017 when he verbally attacked Tennessee's previous coaching staff, calling its members liars, fakes, and snakes.
It was not a good look, but the new coaching staff asked players if Tennessee needed Jennings moving forward, and the response was telling.
Said coach Jeremy Pruitt: "And every one of 'em said, 'Absolutely, coach.'"
So Jennings got another chance and caught 89 passes for 1,407 receiving yards with 11 touchdowns in his final two collegiate seasons, including a 969-yard senior campaign in 2019.
The 49ers were thorough while looking into Jennings' background, as outlined here by David Lombardi of The Athletic. San Francisco loved the receiver's physical style of play enough to look past any concerns it might have had. It probably helped that Jennings fell to them in the seventh round.
During the process of evaluating Jennings, the 49ers wanted to look at the root of the receiver's troubles at Tennessee.
"You're not OK with [the suspensions], but you need to figure out why it was," VP of player personnel Adam Peters recently told Matt Barrows of The Athletic. "Jauan loves football — loves, loves, loves football. And that comes out when you talk to him, and that comes out when you see him play on the field, so that helps. That's not an issue with him. We just had to make sure we were comfortable with everything else."
Jennings will have to fight to prove himself and earn a roster spot. The team has a crowded receiver room. San Francisco may have lost veteran Emmanuel Sanders this offseason but added first-round pick Brandon Aiyuk. The 49ers also have other young playmakers like Deebo Samuel and Kendrick Bourne returning.
Two receivers are returning from injury in Trent Taylor, who missed last season with a foot injury, and Jalen Hurd, who missed his rookie campaign with a back injury.
Then there are names like Dante Pettis, Travis Benjamin, Richie James, and others looking to prove their worth and secure roster spots.
"[Jennings] was one of our most favorite guys to watch," head coach Kyle Shanahan said after the draft. "He's a bulldog. He usually plays in the slot. I feel like he could probably play linebacker if he wants. He's willing to fight everybody out there. He fights for yards. He makes plays, and there's a mindset to that guy that you don't have to talk to him to hear about.
"You can watch it on the silent tape, and you know what type of football player he is. When you have guys like that, they usually end up being pretty special.
"Now, he has some reasons why we got him here and where we did. That's why he's going to have to come in and prove himself to make this team because we've got a good group of receivers.
"With the way he plays, the attitude he plays with out there, the physicality, he's going to get himself a chance to make this team. I know he's going to push these other guys pretty hard."
The 49ers hope Jennings will benefit from a strong NFL locker room too. The tight-knit group fosters a team-first mentality that led to success this past season.
"There's some things on the field, in terms of the discipline and all that," said general manager John Lynch. "But that's when you get a strong team of character; you can help guys like that. He's not a bad guy. His emotions get the best of him, at times. We feel comfortable in Jauan's ability to come in and really be a big part of our team."
Jennings is appreciative of the opportunity and can't wait to prove the 49ers made the right decision in drafting him.
"For me to come in, it's a blessing," Jennings said, "and I'm extremely grateful and cannot wait to go work my butt off for them. They gave me a chance, and I'm going to do my best not to disappoint."
