49ers address 2 key roster decisions involving offense – Home

ads

Getty Jauan Jennings and George Kittle celebrate a touchdown in a Week 18 road win over the Rams during the 2021 season.

The San Francisco 49ers addressed two critical areas on the afternoon of Tuesday, April 19, involving the offense: the wide receiver and the offensive line.

How did the Niners approach it? By bringing back two familiar faces who were free agents, and two men who are credited with providing some key moments during the 2021 season.

Announced via the team’s website, wide receiver Jauan Jennings and offensive lineman Daniel Brunskill have signed one-year contracts.

ALL the latest 49ers news straight to your inbox! Join the Heavy on 49ers newsletter here!

Join Heavy in the 49ers!

Jennings’ key plays plus value

The 6-foot-3, 212-pound Jennings will help give the 49ers a tall option in the passing game for 2022.

According to David Lombardi of The Athletic, here’s what Jennings will get by returning to the Bay Area:

Jauan Jennings’ contract with the 49ers for 2022: $825,000 base salary, $825,000 salary cap.

Obviously, that’s a very efficient price for a player of Jennings’ caliber and illustrates how valuable discounted rookie deals can be.

— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) April 19, 2022

Jennings caught 24 passes for 282 yards and scored five times in one start and 16 games of action. San Francisco fans saw Jennings flourish as a possible red zone option with his frame and road running:

He also delivered this hotly contested catch against the eventual AFC champions that put the 49ers deep into Cincinnati Bengals territory before claiming the road win:

But he’ll likely be revered among the 49ers faithful for helping save their season with these numbers coming into the season finale: 6 receptions, 94 yards, averaging 15.67 receiving yards and scoring twice against the eventual Super Champion. Bowl, Los Angeles Rams, in a week. 18 with a final playoff spot at stake.

Lombardi noted that the former undrafted rookie from Tennessee was the subject of a long-term contract with the 49ers.

“There were thoughts that Jauan Jennings/49ers might agree to a longer-term deal this offseason. That would have allowed SF to avoid having to deal with Jennings as an RFA who could trade with other teams next year. But for now it’s just that one year deal,” Lombardi tweeted.

Brunskill Versatility and Value

Brunskill has this rare claim among the 49ers and their offensive line: He started every game, including the playoffs.

The 6-foot-5, 300-pound player sat primarily at right guard. But there were times when the interior offensive lineman showed a willingness to run down the field … even if it meant going in front of Deebo Samuel as seen here against the Minnesota Vikings:

Don’t ignore how fast the 49ers *blockers* are. Here is Daniel Brunskill running with Deebo Samuel 40 yards beyond the line of scrimmage pic.twitter.com/370z95q4OD

— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) November 29, 2021

But while Brunskill faced his share of menacing trench defenders, he’s best remembered for going toe-to-toe with the ever-dominant Aaron Donald. And Brunskill even dropped “AD” when he was asked.

Brunskill also obstructed Donald by catching his attempted acrobatic move during this passing play:

But before the critical final contest of the season, there was another game that showed Brunskill at the top of his game against the perennial All-Pro, which was also the game that helped ignite the 49ers turnaround: the Monday Night rout. Football of November 15, 2021. of the rams. NFL network personality and former NFL offensive lineman Brian Baldinger praised the way Brunskill challenged Donald, including winning the manual battle:

49ers PlayBaldy Breakdown Daniel Brunskill Rams Owner Aaron Donald2021-11-16T16:36:07Z

Lombardi gave a breakdown of what Brunskill will now receive from his offer.

Daniel Brunskill’s contract with the 49ers for 2022: $2.433 million base salary, $2.433 million salary cap. That is the price of the tender for the preferential right of the FRG. Previous Brunskill Salaries:

2019: $495k2020: $675k2021: $850k

So $2.4 million is a nice raise for a versatile lineman.

— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) April 19, 2022

But even with Jennings and Brunskill back on board, there is still a belief that the 49ers will add more to both spots on April 29 for the NFL Draft. Lombardi says trenches remain the “biggest concern.”

The offensive line remains the 49ers’ biggest concern, just as we’ve been repeating this offseason. Perhaps not the most expressed concern, but the lack of projected proven starters/quality depth and injury/retirement questions have yet to be mitigated

— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) April 19, 2022

And, with Laken Tomlinson on the New York Jets and Pro Bowl center Alex Mack with his status for 2022 still up in the air, Lombardi’s colleague Matt Barrows projected this possible interior lineup on offense:

If Alex Mack decides not to return for another season, the 49ers could have different starters at the three interior offensive line positions. A Pre-Draft Screening:* LG Aaron Banks* C Daniel Brunskill* RG Jaylon Moore

— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) April 19, 2022

But Jennings and Brunskill help add needed depth in two crucial areas for the 49ers. And in Brunskill’s case, it could be a guarantee for the ‘Niners if Mack doesn’t officially return.

The return of Daniel Brunskill gives the #49ers some flexibility in case veteran C Alex Mack doesn’t return for another season.

— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoNBCS) April 19, 2022

ads