The San Francisco 49ers’ receiving corps took a major hit when they traded Deebo Samuel to the Washington Commanders this offseason. With Brandon Aiyuk practicing following his ACL and MCL surgery and third receiver Ricky Pearsall still unproven, the 49ers find themselves in need of veteran depth. Whether Jauan Jennings stays or goes, one available free agent could provide the perfect solution for Kyle Shanahan’s system.
How Does Amari Cooper Fit in the 49ers’ Offense?
USA Today’s Cory Woodroof thinks the 49ers could be in line to acquire Buffalo Bills wide receiver Amari Cooper.
“The 49ers could use another veteran wide receiver, and we think Kyle Shanahan could coax a heck of a comeback out of Cooper this fall,” Woodroof writes. “Cooper could also see a healthy dose of reps in San Francisco.”
Cooper brings exactly what Shanahan’s offense demands. He’s one of the best route runners in the NFL, has soft hands, and at age 31Â still has plenty left in the tank. The veteran receiver knows how to find soft spots in coverage and create separation through precision rather than just raw speed.
Just two years ago, Cooper hauled in 72 passes for 1,250 yards and five touchdowns and was selected to his fifth Pro Bowl, so he’s not that far removed from high-level play.
The fit makes sense on multiple levels. Should the 49ers retain Jennings and keep their relationship harmonious with him, a combination of Aiyuk and Jennings working downfield with Cooper handling possession catches and underneath routes could be deadly.
Shanahan’s offense relies on multiple looks, motion, and deception. Receivers must be intelligent, quick, sure-footed, and able to catch the ball on the move. Brock Purdy distributes the ball quickly, and Cooper thrives in that type of system. He creates separation using his route running rather than mere physicality, making him ideal for the precise timing Shanahan demands.
Why Are the 49ers Desperate to Win Now?
The 49ers also have everything riding on the 2025 season. Purdy is on his rookie contract, and Christian McCaffrey is signed through 2027. The window is wide open while they still have elite players on both sides of the ball, including tight end George Kittle, linebacker Fred Warner, fullback Kyle Juszczyk, and left tackle Trent Williams.
Since 2019, they have made two Super Bowls and four NFC Conference Championship Games. You could argue they should have made four Super Bowls had it not been for Purdy’s injury against the Eagles in the 2022 NFC title game and Jaquiski Tartt’s drop of what looked like a surefire interception in the 2021 NFC title game.
If the 49ers want to close the deal and win a Super Bowl, they need help at receiver. Cooper could be the missing ingredient that puts them over the top.
