Isaiah Oliver has his hands full during training camp. In March, the former Atlanta Falcons cornerback signed a two-year deal with the San Francisco 49ers. Now, he has to face the likes of Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, and Jauan Jennings in practice.
Everyone knows what Samuel is capable of. The star receiver had a breakout season in 2021, recording 1,770 all-purpose yards and 14 total touchdowns. He couldn't come close to that production level last season but reported to training camp in much better shape.
Aiyuk could be poised for his own breakout season after recording his first career 1,000-yard campaign in 2022. The fourth-year wideout is standing out in training camp, proving to be a handful for defensive backs like Oliver.
"[He's] way better than I even thought he was," Oliver said of Aiyuk after Tuesday's practice. "And I knew that he was already good, but seeing it up close and personal, kind of every day from OTAs to now, I think that he's just become such a better receiver than he was when he first got in the NFL, for sure.
"But, he's just really detailed in his routes, really explosive, quick off the line. So I think he's poised to have a really, really good year."
Jennings is another young player who could turn some heads this season. The 6-foot-3 receiver has proven to be a dependable target for his quarterbacks, especially on third downs, overpowering smaller opposing defensive backs. It's earned him the nickname "Third-and-Jauan."
"He's definitely a physical guy," Oliver said. "That's kind of just in his nature, as well as that's kind of his role in the receiving room. I mean, he'll go in and block linebackers, safeties, anybody, it doesn't matter, and kind of looks for that challenge."
Oliver appreciates going against that type of receiver in practice, knowing it will only make him better on game days.
"It's good work, for sure. I mean, he's a big, strong guy," Oliver continued. "He runs good routes, really good catch radius, kind of go up and get high balls. He had that tough one-handed one the other day, so he catches the ball really well. But yeah, it's been definitely good work against Jauan."
