After handing Brock Purdy a five-year, $265 million extension, it’s pretty clear where the San Francisco 49ers’ priorities lie. However, if they want to make the most of this enormous investment, the current receiving corps won’t cut it.
With injuries, suspensions, and trades gutting their wide receiver depth, the 49ers can’t afford to rely on an unproven group. If Kyle Shanahan’s team is serious about contending in 2025, they’ll need to bring in some proven playmakers to help Purdy carry the load.
Could Amari Cooper Fill the San Francisco 49ers’ Void?
The 49ers might have the NFL’s best running back in Christian McCaffrey and a quarterback they trust going forward, but their receiver room leaves a lot to be desired. Deebo Samuel Sr. was traded to the Washington Commanders. Brandon Aiyuk tore his ACL, MCL, and meniscus halfway through last season and may miss the first half of the 2025 season.
Jauan Jennings led the team in receiving last season, but he’s a No. 2 option, not the kind of WR1 San Francisco needs. Demarcus Robinson could miss the season’s first three games due to a DUI suspension. Ricky Pearsall flashed potential as a rookie, but he has just two standout performances on his résumé.
The limited options explain why Bleacher Report’s Moe Moton predicted that the 49ers will target one of the top names left in free agency: five-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Amari Cooper.
Cooper is coming off an injury-plagued 2024 season, but he could be a reliable, experienced option for San Francisco’s young receiving corps.
“Cooper battled injuries throughout the 2024 season, which limited his production. But if he’s healthy, the 30-year-old would be a quality pickup,” Moton wrote. “As Christian McCaffrey ages, Purdy must take on more of the offensive workload with his arm. So, San Francisco should load up on able-bodied and available receivers.”
With Brandon Aiyuk and Demarcus Robinson likely sidelined for the start of the season, Bleacher Report believes the 49ers should sign FA Amari Cooper:
"Cooper battled injuries throughout the 2024 season, which limited his production, but if he's healthy, the 30-year-old would be… pic.twitter.com/avJN3Ngrxl
— Coach Yac 🗣 (@Coach_Yac)
Cooper, 30, wasn’t fully healthy after he joined the Buffalo Bills in a midseason trade, leading to inconsistent numbers. Last season, he caught 44 passes for 547 yards and four touchdowns.
But if he can return to form, he’d immediately become the most complete route runner on the 49ers’ roster. His ability to separate would complement Jennings’ possession style and provide a vertical threat the team sorely lacks.
Why Cooper Makes Sense for the 49ers
Niners general manager John Lynch never shies away from bold moves, and the cap sheet allows for another.
Despite extending Purdy, Fred Warner, and George Kittle in the past month, San Francisco still ranks third in the NFL in effective cap space ($33,112,959), per OverTheCap.
The Bills have shown no urgency in bringing Cooper back, instead adding Joshua Palmer and Elijah Moore to an already crowded WR room. With the free agent market thinning, the 49ers could swoop in and offer Cooper a short-term deal to help keep their offense humming while Aiyuk recovers.
With San Francisco handing Purdy $53 million per year, they can’t leave him hanging with a depleted receiving corps. Cooper may not be the long-term answer, but in the short term, he could be exactly what this offense needs if he can return to form.