Just a year ago, the 49ers had one of the explosive receiver rooms. All-Pro receiver Deebo Samuel was coming off a 60-catch, 892-receiving-yards season. And Brandon Aiyuk had a career-high season with 75 receptions for 1,342 yards. Both played a massive role in guiding the 49ers to Super Bowl LVIII. So, last season, something similar was expected of the 49ers’ dynamic receiver duos. However, Samuel ended up catching only 51 passes for 670 receiving yards. Meanwhile, Aiyuk’s season ended early because of a torn ACL and MCL. Fast-forward to 2025, the 49ers are looking to add some fresh blood to their Bay Area offense. And the one they are probably looking for is touted as a day-three prospect at the very least.

The 49ers have already traded Deebo for a 5th-round draft pick to the Commanders. As for Aiyuk, he doesn’t have a return date just yet, considering the severity of his knee injury. So, with a glaring need at the position, the 49ers hosted Ole Miss WR Jordan Watkins. Watkins could be an interesting choice for the Niners. He is a tad bit smaller than both Samuel and Aiyuk. While Samuel and Aiyuk cross the 6-foot barrier, Watkins stands at 5-foot-11. However, his size shouldn’t be a problem, considering Watkins knows how to use it to his advantage.

After taking an early transfer out of Louisville, playing just 22 games, the Rebels saw the best of Watkins. In his 29 starts, Watkins has amassed 2,096 yards on 142 receptions. He is famously known for playing all over the Ole Miss offense in his three seasons with the Rebels. Whether it’s snaps coming from the inside or the outside, Watkins has shown his footwork and quick acceleration impeccably. Last year, he averaged 18.5 yards per catch, showing how agile he can be, even with corners rushing in.

In a game against the Arkansas Razorbacks, Watkins caught 8 passes for 254 yards and 5 sensational TDs. His 5 TDs in a single game was an Ole Miss record, having never caught multiple TDs before. So, Watkins clearly has the package to hit the ground running in the NFL. But will it happen in the Bay Area? That’s something we’ll find out after April 24th, once the NFL draft kicks off in Wisconsin. While the 49ers were busy analyzing their probable Deebo Samuel replacement, the NFL churned out a punishment for them.

NFL suspends 49ers OT for failing to comply with their drug policy

With future Hall of Famer OT Trent Williams set to turn 37 before the new NFL season begins, you don’t need to be an expert to understand the 49ers need more bodies behind Williams. Considering the 11-time Pro Bowler only played 10 games last season, and his backup, Jaylon Moore, now resides in Kansas City. OT Isaac Alarcon could have been a probable backup to Williams. Having spent last season on the Niners’ practice squad, they gave him a future deal to keep him in 2025. But it looks like the 49ers’ plan with Alarcon may not bear the fruit they wanted.

On Wednesday, the NFL announced that Alarcon will be suspended without pay for the first 6 games. The reason? Violation of the NFL’s performance-enhancing substance policy. However, this ban doesn’t restrict him from participating in exhibition games, practice sessions and training camps. This means Shanahan could still work with Alarcon throughout the offseason. And once his ban gets lifted after 6 weeks, he might have a role in the Niners’ O-line. Isaac was a part of the league’s International Player Pathway program.

This saw him spend four years with the Cowboys. But he never managed to make it out of the practice squad. Now, with a band in his NFL resume, the chances of Alarcon succeeding in the NFL look slimmer than ever. Still, the 49ers will have to count on him if Williams suffers another major injury like he did last season. Fingers crossed!!