49ers WR Playing Himself Off Roster in Camp
49ers Training Camp: Young Receivers Battle for Roster Spots While Purdy Shines
The Big Picture: Camp Off to a Strong Start
Despite some early injury trouble, the San Francisco 49ers’ training camp is humming along nicely. Here’s what you need to know in simple terms:
- Quarterback Brock Purdy looks like an MVP candidate right now
- Injured players from last year are back on the field and healthy
- Several young players are stepping up and showing they belong
IMPORTANT POINT: The team is getting healthier and the quarterback play is elite—that’s a winning combination for any NFL team.
The Wide Receiver Opportunity
Why Young Guys Are Getting Chances
Two key veterans are sidelined right now, creating open doors for rookies and young players:
- Ricky Pearsall — Suffered a season-ending injury (he’s done for the year)
- Mike Evans — Dealing with soft-tissue troubles (muscle/ligament issues that need rest)
With these two out, the coaching staff needs to see what the younger receivers can do in real practice situations.
Tale of Two Rookies: Stribling vs. Watkins
De’Zhaun Stribling — The Star of Camp
- Draft status: 2nd-round pick (high investment by the team)
- Performance: Taking full advantage of every opportunity
- Special skill: Catching tough passes over the middle—where defenders are hitting you from all sides
- Result: Clearly earning trust from coaches and quarterback
Jordan Watkins — Struggling to Keep Up
- Draft status: 4th-round pick in summer 2025
- Rookie year (2025): Hampered by injuries, only 2 catches in 4 games — essentially a non-factor
- College success: Had a great final year at Ole Miss (rivaled Stribling’s production)
- Current camp: Getting plenty of targets (passes thrown his way) but not converting them
What the Experts Are Saying
Matt Burrows (reporter for The Athletic) broke down the key difference after watching practice:
"There are two guys that get a lot of passes thrown their way. One is Stribling and the other is Jordan Watkins. The difference has been that Stribling has been able to haul in those tough passes across the middle… There’s an arm in there, and you gotta bring that ball in, and Watkins hasn’t been able to do so."
Translation for Beginners
| Situation | What It Means |
|---|---|
| "Passes across the middle" | Throws where defenders are crowded—scary, physical catches |
| "There’s an arm in there" | A defender’s arm is between the receiver and the ball |
| "Haul in" | Catch securely despite contact |
| "Bring that ball in" | Secure the catch through contact |
Bottom line: Stribling makes the hard catches in traffic. Watkins drops them.
The Depth Chart Reality Check
Here’s where things stand right now at wide receiver (from top to bottom):
- De’Zhaun Stribling — Rising fast
- Mike Evans — Veteran star (when healthy)
- Christian Kirk — Established veteran
- DeMarcus Robinson — Reliable veteran
- Jordan Watkins — On the roster bubble
IMPORTANT POINT: "Roster bubble" means he’s in danger of being cut before the season starts. Only ~53 players make the final team.
Why This Matters for Watkins
The Trust Factor
Football is a trust game between quarterback and receiver:
- QB throws → WR catches → Trust builds
- QB throws → WR drops → Trust erodes
- Coaches watch → They stop calling plays for unreliable players
If Purdy and the coaches don’t trust Watkins to catch the ball in critical moments, they won’t play him—and if he doesn’t play, he gets cut.
The "Ole Miss Magic" Question
Watkins was great in college. But the NFL is different:
- Faster defenders
- Tighter windows to throw into
- Harder hits over the middle
- More complex defenses
IMPORTANT POINT: College success NFL success. Many great college players struggle with the speed and physicality of the pro game.
What Happens Next? (The Road Ahead)
For Jordan Watkins — A 3-Step Survival Plan
- Fix the hands — Extra catching drills, focus on concentration
- Attack the middle — Stop avoiding contact, show toughness
- Earn Purdy’s trust — Make 2-3 "wow" catches in a row to change the narrative
For the 49ers — Roster Decisions Looming
- Final cuts happen in late August
- Practice squad is an option (keep him around but not on game-day roster)
- Trade is unlikely given current performance
- Release becomes likely if trend continues
Summary
| Player | Status | Outlook |
|---|---|---|
| Brock Purdy | Healthy, playing great | MVP candidate |
| De’Zhaun Stribling | Healthy, dominating camp | Lock for roster, potential starter |
| Jordan Watkins | Healthy, struggling to catch | Roster bubble — likely cut if no improvement |
| Ricky Pearsall | Season-ending injury | Out for 2025 |
| Mike Evans | Soft-tissue injury | Day-to-day, expected back |
The story of this camp: Opportunity knocked for young receivers. Stribling answered. Watkins hasn’t—yet.
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
What does "fringe roster guy" mean?
It means a player who’s right on the edge of making the final 53-man team. One bad week of practice or one good week by a competitor can push them off the roster entirely.
Why does catching "over the middle" matter so much?
Those are the highest-percentage throws in football—short, quick passes that move the chains. But they’re also the most dangerous. Receivers who catch there are reliable. Those who don’t are liabilities.
Can Watkins turn this around?
Yes—but the clock is ticking. He has maybe 2-3 weeks of practices and preseason games to show dramatic improvement. NFL teams have zero patience for receivers who can’t catch.
What’s the "practice squad" and could Watkins go there?
The practice squad is a 16-player "developmental roster." Players practice with the team but don’t play in games (unless elevated). Yes, Watkins could land there if he clears waivers (no other team claims him). But he’d need to show something promising first.
How unusual is it for a 4th-round pick to be on the bubble this fast?
Not unusual at all. Draft position only guarantees opportunity, not a roster spot. Many 4th-rounders (and even higher picks) get cut in their first or second year. The NFL is a "what have you done lately" league.
Article based on training camp reports from The Athletic and Niner Noise. All player statuses reflect information available as of August 2025.