Which Rookie Needs to Impress the Most to Make the 49ers Roster?

It's an uphill climb to make the 49ers roster that especially proves steepest for rookies on the team.

Making the 49ers active roster is no easy task. It's an uphill climb that especially proves steepest for rookies on the team. That is why the 49ers had no issue trading draft capital to select Brandon Aiyuk and acquire Trent Williams.

A mid-round draft pick was going to struggle to make the roster to begin with. Might as well use that to grab more assuring talent. Most of the rookies are going to find it troubling to make the cut. This team is just too deep. That much was evident last season when practically half the team was sidelined with an injury at one point.

Javon Kinlaw and Aiyuk are the main rookies that will not have to worry about making the roster. The same cannot be said for the others. Some rookies have to jump through more hoops than others and are up against it. 

So which rookie needs to impress the most to make the cut?

Wide receiver and seventh-round pick Jauan Jennings. It may seem like a cop out to choose Jennings because he is a seventh-rounder. In all honesty, I could choose tight end Charlie Woerner, who isn't far off in this category either. 

But the main reason I am selecting Jennings is because of the competition at the receiver position. The battle that will ensue in training camp at that position is one of the most intriguing.

Deebo Samuel, Kendrick Bourne, and Aiyuk are the locks to make the roster. Trent Taylor and Jalen Hurd likely have a leg up on most of the other receivers as well. The 49ers can only carry so many wide outs. 

Last season, they generally carried six on the active roster. Seeing them hold seven would not make sense for the offense because it doesn't roll out more than three receivers at a time.

Remember, running the ball is priority No. 1 for Kyle Shanahan. The 49ers offense was the second-highest offense to run the ball last season and I doubt that we will see much of a drop next season. 

Jennings is essentially competing against Dante Pettis, who might still make the roster because of Shanahan's infatuation with him. Then there is also Richie James Jr. and Travis Benjamin. There is just too many players to evaluate and to see who can make an immediate impact. 

That is where it'll come down to. 

If Jennings can standout and make the coaching staff, especially Shanahan, say, "Wow!", then he will make the roster for sure. Leaving a lasting impression on position coaches Miles Austin and Wes Welker is everything. 

Otherwise, the practice squad will be Jennings' fate.