With the first wave of NFL stars already getting deals in free agency, San Francisco 49ers star WR Jauan Jennings remains unsigned.
Spotrac projects Jennings’ market value at $22.6M, the highest among available wide receivers.
That might be a lofty price tag for a player who was mostly a rotational piece until the past couple of years. However, options are limited.
That’s why it wouldn’t be far-fetched to watch the New England Patriots break the bank to make him their WR1.
New England Patriots should make a run at Jauan Jennings
The Patriots just signed Romeo Doubs, but they’re reportedly still in the mix to trade for A.J. Brown.
The Philadelphia Eagles, however, are still reluctant to give up on the former Tennessee Titans star, and the clock is ticking.
The Patriots are reportedly open to bringing Stefon Diggs back after releasing him earlier in the offseason, so they’re clearly still trying to find another big-name pass catcher for quarterback Drake Maye.
As such, it might make more sense to pivot to Jennings rather than play the waiting game with Brown or hope that Diggs gives them more than he did last season.
According to Football Reference, Jennings hauled in 55 receptions on 90 targets for 643 yards and nine touchdowns in 14 games for the banged-up Niners last season.
He’s stepped up when they’ve been decimated by injuries, and while he may still not have proven that he’s worthy of that much money, he’s the safest option for Mike Vrabel’s team right now.
Diggs went MIA in the playoffs, with 14 catches for 110 yards and one touchdown in four postseason contests, and the Eagles may not trade Brown at all. That may force the Patriots to overpay just to make sure to get the No. 1 pass catcher in free agency before someone else swoops in.