The San Francisco 49ers wide receiver situation feels a bit uncertain entering training camp with veterans set to report to the field on Tuesday, July 22.
Brandon Aiyuk and Ricky Pearsall have been placed on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list and Jauan Jennings has made it clear he wants a new deal before the 2025 NFL season.
These situations could open the door for one former Pro Bowl wide receiver to join the 49ers ahead of the upcoming season.
San Francisco 49ers Named a Potential Landing Spot for WR Amai Cooper
Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report named his top remaining free agents entering training camp and listed former five-time Pro Bowl WR Amari Cooper as a potential option for the San Francisco 49ers entering the 2025 NFL season.
Knox wrote, “Like {Keenan} Allen, Amari Cooper is a former star who appears to have lost a step recently. Last season, he caught just 44 passes for 547 yards and four touchdowns while splitting the season between the Cleveland Browns and Buffalo Bills.”
Amari Cooper joined a Buffalo Bills offense that finished as one of the most productive units in the league, but much of that success didn’t have to do with the former Alabama product getting to catch passes from QB Josh Allen in 2024.
Knox added, “Of course, it’s worth noting that the 31-year-old wasn’t in a particularly enviable situation with either team. Cleveland had a disastrous rotation at quarterback. Cooper landed in Buffalo midseason and spent the rest of the year playing catch-up in an unfamiliar offense.”
The 49ers WR situation is a bit of a mess at the moment with their top three options all having some sort of question mark entering the season. This could open the door Cooper to sign a one-year deal with a team like San Francisco, who expect to be in contention in the NFC this season, to add some quality depth to the position.
Knox addressed the 49ers receiver room by writing, “Of course, it’s worth noting that the 31-year-old wasn’t in a particularly enviable situation with either team. Cleveland had a disastrous rotation at quarterback. Cooper landed in Buffalo midseason and spent the rest of the year playing catch-up in an unfamiliar offense. The 49ers could also potentially be without receiver Jauan Jennings, who has asked the team for a new contract or a trade, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.”
How Would Amari Cooper Fit with the 49ers in 2025?
This question largely depends on how the situations of the aforementioned Aiyuk, Jennings, and Pearsall play out over the next five weeks.
When you get past those three players, there isn’t a ton of proven production on the roster outside of Demarcus Robinson.
Jacob Cowing had a limited impact his rookie year in 2024. Jordan Watkins is entering his rookie year and players like Isaiah Hodgins and Russell Gage aren’t expected to make a big impact in 2025.
Cooper has a lengthy track record of production in the league with 2024 being a bit of an outlier for the Alabama product.
Knox added, “Two years ago, Cooper caught 72 passes for 1,250 yards and five touchdowns en route to his fifth Pro Bowl selection. He might not be able to replicate that success, but he should be able to provide more than he did in 2024.”
Despite the down year in 2024, Cooper could still have some quality years of football left in him.
Ultimately, if the Niners ultimately don’t end up giving Jennings a new contract and decide to trade him, then Cooper could certainly be an option for San Francisco in 2025.
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