Who Should I Start? Jauan Jennings or Jameson Williams

Tuesday, March 18, 2:52 PM

The San Francisco 49ers traded veteran wideout Deebo Samuel Sr. to the Washington Commanders this offseason, and Brandon Aiyuk (knee) could start next season on the Injured Reserve list as he recovers from a torn ACL. He could also be traded before the start of the 2025 campaign. That said, Jauan Jennings could open next year's campaign as the team's WR1, according to Athletic reporter Matt Barrows. Barrows listed Jennings ahead of Ricky Pearsall and Demarcus Robinson on his projected depth chart. Jennings, a 2020 seventh-round pick out of Tennessee, enjoyed the best season of his career in 2024. He registered 77 receptions for 975 yards and six scores. Had he not been ejected from the team's regular-season finale against the Arizona Cardinals, he likely would've notched his first 1,000-yard campaign. Jennings would have at least WR2 upside in Kyle Shanahan's offense if Aiyuk isn't available early on or is traded, though he would still have to compete with tight end George Kittle for targets.

Friday, April 25, 12:03 PM

The Detroit Lions exercised wide receiver Jameson Williams' fifth-year option for the 2026 season on Friday, a source tells ESPN's Field Yates. This was a no-brainer move for the Lions after Williams broke out with his first 1,000-yard receiving season in 2024. The 24-year-old former first-rounder out of Ohio State is projected to make $15.49 million in 2026 on his fifth-year option. Williams played in only 18 games (10 starts) in his first two years in the NFL due to recovery from a torn ACL in his final year in college and a suspension for gambling last year. In 15 games (11 starts) during the regular season a year ago, he caught 58 of 91 targets for 1,001 yards and seven touchdowns. He also added 11 carries for 61 yards and a TD. Williams has big-play ability every time he touches the ball, but his lack of volume in a loaded Detroit offense is worrisome and makes him a boom-or-bust fantasy commodity.