Who Should I Start? Jauan Jennings or Jalen Tolbert

Wednesday, June 11, 12:24 PM

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said that wide receiver Jauan Jennings (calf), who isn't practicing during mandatory minicamp this week, is expected to be ready for the start of training camp in late July. The Niners are playing it safe with Jennings and Ricky Pearsall (hamstring) with Brandon Aiyuk (knee) not expected to be ready until around midseason. Barring a setback with his calf in training camp, Jennings could be the team's WR1 to open the 2025 season with Aiyuk sidelined. The 27-year-old had a career year in 2024 with 77 receptions on 113 targets for 975 yards and six touchdowns in 15 games (10 starts) with Aiyuk suffering a season-ending knee injury in Week 7. Jennings should at least have a bigger role again early on in 2025, but he could be the No. 3 target for quarterback Brock Purdy behind tight end George Kittle and second-year wideout Ricky Pearsall (hamstring).

Wednesday, May 7, 1:22 PM

With the addition of wide receiver George Pickens via trade on Wednesday, Dallas Cowboys pass-catcher Jalen Tolbert will now operate as the team's No. 3 wideout in 2025 behind CeeDee Lamb and Pickens. Tolbert could also face competition from KaVontae Turpin for the role, but the 26-year-old should have the leg up for the WR3 job after a career year in 2024 in which he set career-highs in catches (49), targets (79), receiving yards (610) and touchdowns (seven) in 17 games (15 starts). Even in what should be a pass-happy Cowboys offense with quarterback Dak Prescott returning from his hamstring injury, Tolbert just won't have enough volume to make him worthy starting on a weekly basis in most fantasy leagues. However, if one of Lamb or Pickens misses time with an injury, Tolbert will be an attractive waiver-wire pickup.