49ers potential WR usage, per @mattbarrows: • X — Mike Evans, De'Zhaun Stribling, Demarcus Robinson • Z — Deebo Samuel, Jordan Watkins, Jacob Cowing • F — De'Zhaun Stribling, Christian Kirk (when healthy), Jacob Cowing

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NegativeRoleSep 2, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Watkins is listed as a backup wide receiver in the 49ers' six-receiver room.

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NegativeDepth ChartSep 1, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Watkins fills out the back end of the 49ers receiver depth chart as a reserve option.

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NegativeRoleSep 1, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Jordan Watkins is listed as a potential returner option if Jacob Cowing is unavailable for Week 1. The source notes that Watkins' return performance has looked different than what has been seen from other returners, albeit in a smaller sample size, suggesting his return ability may be less impressive than alternatives like Brandon Codrington.

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NegativeRoleSep 1, 2026Niners Nation

Jordan Watkins is backup returner option if Jacob Cowing unavailable; special teams coordinator Brant Boyer has seen Watkins return and is evaluating whether Codrington offers more as a returner than Watkins in smaller sample size.

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PositiveDepth ChartAug 31, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Receiver Jordan Watkins made the 49ers' 53-man roster as part of the team's decision to keep their youngsters at the receiver position.

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PositiveRoleAug 31, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Won the roster competition over proven special teams contributor KhaDarel Hodge for the final wide receiver spot; the source indicates the 49ers chose Watkins' upside over Hodge's established special teams ability, suggesting the team values his potential development.

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PositiveDepth ChartAug 30, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Jordan Watkins made the 49ers' 53-man roster; the team kept both Watkins and Jacob Cowing, with uncertainty about whether Watkins will cover kicks or serve as the kickoff returner.

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PositiveDepth ChartAug 30, 2026Niners Nation

Jordan Watkins made the 49ers' 53-man roster, with the team choosing to keep him over placing Christian Kirk on IR stash; his role may include kickoff return duties.

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NegativeRoleAug 30, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Jordan Watkins is mentioned as a receiver who lacks the NFL experience that Christian Kirk possesses; the source contrasts Watkins' inexperience with Kirk's production and experience as Kirk prepares to return from injury.

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NegativeRoleAug 29, 2026Matt Harmon

Matt Harmon notes that Jordan Watkins' role within the team's wide receiver depth chart remains unclear.

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NegativeBustAug 29, 2026Niners Nation

Jordan Watkins showed preseason production in box scores but upon closer evaluation raises serious concerns about his NFL viability with the 49ers; the source cites multiple exposures of him shying away from contact or failing to produce through contact, including turtling up on a kickoff return and failing to block aggressively, suggesting he may not be worth investing in.

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NegativeBustAug 29, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

The source questions whether Watkins is an NFL player for the 49ers despite preseason production; he showed concerning patterns including shying away from contact, failing to produce through contact, turtling up on a kickoff return when about to be tackled, and waiting instead of being aggressive when given an opportunity to block a safety; the source suggests listening to the signs and moving on rather than investing in Watkins.

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NegativeBustAug 28, 2026Niners Nation

Jordan Watkins generated preseason box-score production but showed concerning tape issues upon detailed review: he shied away from contact, failed to produce through contact, turtled up on a kickoff return when about to be tackled, and missed a blocking opportunity on a safety instead of being the aggressor. The source questions whether Watkins is an NFL player for the 49ers, suggesting the preseason signs indicate he should be moved on from.

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NegativeBustAug 28, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Despite preseason box score production, the source questions whether Watkins is an NFL player for the 49ers; film review revealed too many exposures of him shying away from contact or failing to produce through contact, including turtling up on a kickoff return and failing to block aggressively, raising serious doubts about his viability.

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NegativeRoleAug 28, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Watkins failed to track a deep pass from Mac Jones on third down and also braced for a hit on his initial kickoff return, a trait the 49ers coaching staff is not looking for in their receiver.

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NegativeRoleAug 27, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Jordan Watkins can return from injury but only covered kicks in the second preseason game. He must make difficult plays on offense and contribute on special teams in the preseason finale to stick around. Realistically, he is unlikely to contribute on offense and may not make the roster.

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NegativeRoleAug 27, 2026Niners Nation

Jordan Watkins can return from Injured Reserve but only covered kicks in the second preseason game. He'll have to make difficult plays on offense and contribute on special teams in the preseason finale to stick around. Sincere McCormick doubts Watkins will contribute on offense and suggests the 49ers could waive him to bulk up in the trenches, rolling with five receivers instead.

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PositiveProjectionAug 27, 2026RotoWire NFL Articles

With rookie second-round pick De'Zhaun Stribling sidelined by a shoulder injury, Watkins could continue to capitalize on added opportunities as one of SF's few healthy WR options. The 2025 fourth-round pick has quietly been productive in preseason, recording nine catches for 100 yards and a TD across two games—not far behind Stribling in production despite receiving much less fanfare.

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NegativeDepth ChartAug 25, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Watkins is not guaranteed to make the 49ers roster; the source projects him for the practice squad instead, indicating uncertainty about his final roster status.

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NegativeDepth ChartAug 25, 2026Niners Nation

Not guaranteed to make the 53-man roster; currently projected for the practice squad, indicating roster uncertainty for the wide receiver.

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NegativeDepth ChartAug 24, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Watkins is not guaranteed to make the roster and is projected to land on the practice squad instead.

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NegativeDepth ChartAug 24, 2026Niners Nation

Not guaranteed to make the roster; projected to land on the practice squad at wide receiver alongside Malik Turner and Wesley Grimes.

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NegativeRoleAug 23, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Jordan Watkins is competing with Jacob Cowing to prove he can be a difference-maker on special teams and earn a roster spot in a crowded receiver room.

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PositiveUsageAug 21, 2026Niners Nation

Watkins played the most snaps among wide receivers (53 snaps, 66.4% snap share) and hauled in a touchdown pass, with another potential touchdown from Mac Jones that fell incomplete between two Chargers defenders.

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PositiveUsageAug 21, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Watkins played the most snaps among wide receivers on Thursday and hauled in a touchdown pass, with another potential touchdown from Mac Jones that fell incomplete between two Chargers defenders. He received significant opportunity despite Samuel and Robinson starting the game.

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PositiveUsageAug 21, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Watkins caught a 17-yard touchdown pass from Adrian Martinez in the fourth quarter after the 49ers forced a turnover on downs in Chargers territory.

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PositiveUsageAug 21, 2026Bolts From The Blue

Watkins, a 49ers wideout, caught a 17-yard touchdown pass from Adrian Martinez in the fourth quarter, scoring two plays after the 49ers forced a turnover on downs in Chargers territory.

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PositiveUsageAug 21, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Watkins caught a 17-yard touchdown pass from Adrian Martinez, part of the 49ers' third consecutive scoring drive that extended their lead to 41-9.

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PositiveUsageAug 21, 2026Niners Nation

Watkins caught a 17-yard touchdown pass from Adrian Martinez in the second half, part of the 49ers' third consecutive scoring drive.

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NegativeRoleAug 21, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Watkins was locked in a two-man competition with Jacob Cowing for the punt returner job; Cowing's 83-yard punt return touchdown in the preseason game effectively ended the competition in Cowing's favor.

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PositiveNewsAug 21, 202632BeatWriters

32BeatWriterson X

Jordan Watkins and Jacob Cowing are just inconsistent right now. That drive finished by a missed block from Watkins that led to a TFL. And then a dropped slant by Cowing that hit him in the chest. I think they both make the 53 but hard to count on them as WRs right now.

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PositiveNewsAug 21, 2026Coach Yac 🗣

Coach Yac 🗣on X

Sincere McCormick with the big run Watch Jordan Watkins with the block

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NegativeRoleAug 20, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Watkins played 63 snaps in preseason week 1, mostly out wide at receiver with only six slot snaps. He caught 6 of 9 targets for 59 yards including 23 YAC, but has struggled with catch consistency and physicality in August. Quarterback Kurtis Rourke looked to Malik Turner more frequently when Watkins was in, and most of Watkins' targets came with Adrian Martinez under center. He fair-caught one punt return and returned another for four yards. Watkins is competing with Jacob Cowing for the final receiver/returner spot on the depth chart.

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NegativeRoleAug 20, 2026Niners Nation

Watkins played 63 snaps in the first preseason game, spending most time out wide at receiver with only six snaps in the slot. He caught 6 of 9 targets for 59 yards including 23 yards after the catch, but has been up and down in August with inconsistent catch ability and struggles dealing with physicality. Adrian Martinez threw him most targets, but when Kurtis Rourke was in, he looked to Malik Turner more than Watkins, suggesting quarterback hesitation due to Watkins' route-running inconsistency and lack of physicality.

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