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When head coach Kyle Shanahan was asked Wednesday about Vikings wide receiver Jauan Jennings reportedly declining a trade last week that would have sent him back to the San Francisco 49ers, Shanahan said the story didn't capture the full picture.
"The report was accurate," he said, "just not totally exactly detailed up."
What does that mean? Well, the part of the report from Fox's Jay Glazer that included how Jennings declined to get on a FaceTime call with Shanahan and general manager John Lynch, who were hoping to seal the deal? That was wrong, Shanahan said. Or, rather, not totally exactly detailed up.
"It was actually – it was J.J. FaceTiming me," Shanahan said. "… It was a good talk, but he's with good people (in Minnesota). He likes where he's at. And I thought it made sense what he said and I agreed with him."
That doesn't make total sense. Jennings has six catches on 10 targets in six games with a 6-1 team that values him so little that it's willing to trade him to a 6-1 team it could be battling for the NFC's No. 1 seed. And he's enjoying that situation so much that he declined a trade to his employer for his first six NFL seasons (2020-2025) that clearly still values him?
It sounds like there's more to the story, possibly having to do with the 49ers not meeting Jennings' contract extension demands last year.
Whatever the case, here's what the story – warts and all – tells us: The 49ers are in the market for a wide receiver before the NFL's trade deadline on Tuesday.
Shanahan spoke Wednesday for the first time since the 49ers traded for Pro Bowl defensive tackle DeForest Buckner during last week's bye and said the 49ers might not be done dealing. His message contrasted with last year's when he downplayed deadline activity.
At the deadline, the 49ers were 6-3, but had lost two All-Pros, pass rusher Nick Bosa and linebacker Fred Warner, to season-ending injuries. They made a low-wattage move, acquiring pass rusher Keion White from the Patriots in a swap of late-round picks.
"I do know our team's better than it was last year," Shanahan said. "It was awesome to add Buckner – really awesome – and it'd be great to add someone else if that works out. We're not counting on it. But it'd still be great. We've still got time."
Shanahan said "receiver is still something we're looking into," and noted Jennings' familiarity with the 49ers offense was part of the appeal as they look to add to the position in midseason.
Shanahan was asked about the difficulty of a wide receiver picking up the 49ers' system in November. Did it narrow the pool of trade candidates given the unique challenges of the position?
"Yeah, big time," Shanahan said. "It's hard at any position. It's really hard at receiver. I don't know if it's the hardest, but it's up there."
In 2019, the 49ers traded for Broncos wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders at the deadline and the two-time Pro Bowl selection made the transition look easy. Sanders, then 32 and in his 10th season, had 36 catches for 502 yards and three touchdowns in 10 games and also tossed a 35-yard touchdown pass.
Seven years later, Sanders could provide a template for what the 49ers are seeking: an accomplished veteran wideout with a natural feel for the position.
A logical fit: Indianapolis' Keenan Allen, 34, a six-time Pro Bowl selection who has 36 catches for 325 yards and a touchdown in seven games this season. Allen, who attended Cal, is known for his elite route-running ability.
Lynch just worked with Colts interim general manager Ed Dodds on the deal that netted Buckner. Indianapolis (2-6), in rebuilding mode, also traded All-Pro guard Quenton Nelson to the Seahawks last week.
"Emmanuel was a special case," Shanahan said. "It's not just him being a vet, but it's also the type of guy he was, how natural he was at football. Things came really easy to Emmanuel. But it's different for all types of guys. And that's why there's got to be the right guy."
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This article originally published at 49ers' Kyle Shanahan is seeking a wide receiver before the trade deadline. He has a type.
https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/49ers-kyle-shanahan-seeking-wide-021337474.html
