Who Should I Start? Jauan Jennings or Tetairoa McMillan

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).

Tuesday, June 24, 2:20 PM

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan has looked like a player deserving of the No. 8 overall pick so far in his first NFL offseason, according to the team's ESPN reporter, David Newton. "Beyond being held out of two mandatory practices as a precaution after a collision the previous day, McMillan has been as advertised," Newton said. "He has made everyone around him better because he can play every receiver spot. He has created competition at receiver, something that wasn't there a year ago. His presence has benefited 2024 first-round pick Xavier Legette, who believes he and McMillan double the problems for defenses." McMillan was excellent in his final two collegiate seasons at Arizona, catching 174 passes for 2,721 yards and 18 touchdowns in 25 games. He is expected to immediately become Bryce Young's WR1 in what could be one of the most improved offenses in the NFL under Year-2 head coach Dave Canales. The target completion in Carolina is not worrisome for T-Mac, so he has a clear path to paying off at his low-end WR3 pricetag in 2025.