The Minnesota Vikings have a new wideout in Jauan Jennings, who will fill the WR3 role after the departure of Jalen Nailor this offseason. Moreover, the player might bring something to the Vikings that Minnesota didn’t have in Nailor, which wouldn’t bode well for their opponents.
Last season with the San Francisco 49ers, Jennings posted a 68.3 overall PFF grade, finishing with 55 catches on 88 targets for 643 yards and nine touchdowns, averaging 11.7 yards per reception. Furthermore, he recorded 180 yards after the catch and had three drops during the season.
However, there’s another aspect of his game that Jennings can bring: getting under his opponents’ skin. During a May 11 appearance on SKOR North – Minnesota Sports, 49ers ON SI’s Grant Cohn shared what the Vikings are getting in the wideout.
“One of the things that’s his defining characteristic is that he really pisses off players on the other team,” Cohn said. “Shelby Harris called him a h– last year, and he started multiple fights. He’s not necessarily a dirty player. He just is really enthusiastic about blocking DBs who are smaller.”
The memo now goes out to the Vikings’ opponents this upcoming season: Jennings will look to get under their skin. Moreover, this message should go out to the teams in the NFC North who will see Jennings twice this upcoming season.
What Else Will Jauan Jennings Bring to the Vikings?
Moreover, Cohn stated what Jennings will bring from a pass-catching perspective. The former 49ers wide receiver will look to take advantage of playing behind Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison.
“They’re really getting, to me, one of the premier No. 3 wide receivers in the league,” Cohn added. “For the last couple of years, he was the Niners’ No. 1 receiver because Aiyuk left and Deebo left, and he was not really suited for that role.”
The 49ers insider also shared specific physical traits that will stand out in Minnesota’s passing game.
“[Jennings] runs a 4.7, but for a wide receiver who runs a 4.7, he’s about as good as it gets,” Cohn said. “He’s 6-foot-3, he’s an elite blocker, and he’s unafraid of going over the middle [and] isone of the best third-down receivers in the league; he’s one of the best contested-catch guys in the league.
“He’s good in the red zone [and] he plays when he’s hurt, as opposed to some guys who, you know, have to have all of their speed and quickness.”
Kevin O’Connell on Jauan Jennings Signing
As a result, Minnesota are getting a player who is more than capable of being the No. 3 guy on the depth chart. On May 8, Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell spoke with the media and explained why Jennings made sense for them.
“When you’re one of the few players who might be single-covered in man-to-man coverage, you’ve got to be able to win,” O’Connell told reporters. “You’ve got to be able to make contested catches, and you’ve got to be able to do something with it after the catch. Jauan does all those things.
“I think Vikings fans are going to fall in love with watching this guy play football. Just the passion and the physicality that he plays with. You can tell I’m excited about it and can’t wait to get him here.”
Vikings’ Jauan Jennings Brings Big Trait to Annoy NFC North