Once again, the pieces are in place for San Francisco to win a Super Bowl, especially if this trio of 49ers' underrated sleepers break out during the 2024 NFL season.
With a roster of stars in place on offense, the 49ers still had the cap room to tender Jauan Jennings as a restricted free agent. He joins cornerback Isaac Yiadom and safety Ji'Ayir Brown as key pieces for rounding out a championship-level roster.
49ers WR Jauan Jennings carries quiet value
San Francisco ponied up plenty of cash to keep Jennings, pointing to his importance. He collected the $15.4 million haul despite his main statistics centered around third-down performance.
For the 2023 season, Jennings posted career lows in every major category: receptions (19), yards (265) and touchdowns (1). So why did the 49ers go out of their way to keep him when they already have the No. 1-rated receiver group, according to Pro Football Focus?
Jennings was basically a third-down weapon. But there is more to being an NFL receiver than catching passes, and the 6-foot-3, 212-pound Jennings excels in the land of perimeter blocking.
Considering the fact the 49ers boast the league's most-physical ground attack, dirt-tough blocking at a skill position is highly valuable. The extra two or three yards on a given play can be the difference in several games over the course of the season.
With injuries always a factor for the 49ers, look for them to utlitize Jennings much more effectively this season. And he'll be motivated by the chance to land another contract in 2025.
Isaac Yiadom fills a need for 49ers
Teams that live at the upper level of the NFL tend to be solid in every phase of the game. But the 49ers needed to step up a level at the cornerback position.
It appears the 6-1, 188-pound Yiadom will be given a chance to shine. In 2023, Yiadom turned things up for the New Orleans Saints with 14 pass breakups. He also held opposing quarterbacks to a 48.9 completion percentage when targeting him.
Another reason he could step into the spotlight is the presence of Charvarius Ward on the other side of the field. Teams will avoid Ward, which means more pass attempts — and more opportunities — for Yiadom.
49ers' safety Ji'Ayir Brown should get his chance
Brown should have plenty of opportunities to succeed in 2024.
In his rookie season in 2023, Brown worked his way into a starting role after an injury to incumbent safety Talanoa Hufanga. Brown totaled 26 tackles and picked off two passes in a reasonably effective performance.
Hufanga could return early in the season, but Brown should remain a field fixture. Brown's size (5-11, 202 pounds) gives him a chance to protect against the run. And his pass-defense skills allowed him to hold opposing quarterbacks to a 78.4 percent passer rating when he was targeted.
Pro Football Focus graded him in the high 70s last season for overall, run defense, and coverage.
If San Francisco stays healthy, the 49ers should once again have a major shot at winning the Super Bowl.
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