49ers free agent linked to Colts as Michael Pittman Jr. replacement

The Indianapolis Colts and Jauan Jennings have similar needs: they both need what the other is looking for. For the Colts, it's wide receiver depth: after re-signing Alec Pierce as a free agent, they have Josh Downs and little beyond him. 

For Jennings, it's a new team, because the chance the San Francisco 49ers bring him back after giving Mike Evans a three-year deal is little, if any at all. The fact that Jennings is still available on the market is a surprise in itself. He's not a legitimate No. 1, but he's the perfect No. 2 for many teams. 

Why not the Colts? Pierce isn't enough, and Downs is more of a No. 3 hoping to work his way into a No. 2 than he is a solidified No. 2. The Colts will either address their need at wide receiver through the draft, or they'll go after a free agent, or they'll sit still, which would be a mistake. Can Jennings help them?

NFL analyst points to Jauan Jennings as the Indianapolis Colts' replacement for Michael Pittman Jr.

Michael Pittman Jr. was never able to rise to the occasion as the No. 1 pass catcher in his six seasons in Indianapolis, but he was serviceable, reliable, and a good receiver, just never as good as the Colts hoped he would be. Pittman has since moved on to the Pittsburgh Steelers to begin a new chapter, leaving a hole in the Colts' wide receiver room.

Zachary Pereles of CBS Sports, who writes for the NFL, recently tabbed Jennings as a leading option for the Colts to fill the gap left behind by Pittman. Jennings would be an upgrade, for sure, but he would still come into the fold as the No. 2 option behind Pierce, giving Downs another season to grow into his own.

According to Pereles, Jennings is not only an option for the Colts to consider, but he's also been compared to a wide receiver in the draft who models him. 

"In keeping Alec Pierce, the Colts lost Michael Pittman Jr. Pierce, who is a big-play threat who added some nuance to his game in 2025, and Josh Downs is an elusive slot man with some downfield pep," Pereles writes. "Pittman was the reliable, tough-yards guy. With no first-round pick, the Colts could consider [Eric] McAlister, whose pro comparison in the draft prospect rankings is ... [Jauan] Jennings." 

As far as the NFL Draft is concerned, the Colts are more likely to focus all their attention on adding pieces to their defense, and more specifically, at linebacker. That's not to say Colts general manager Chris Ballard won't even glance at who's available on the board at wide receiver, because he could. 

Either way, the Colts have a hole, and Jennings might be the best option left available on the free agent market. The veteran wideout had his best season two years ago, but still followed that up with a solid past season with 643 yards and a career-high nine touchdowns. Jennings played the role of a No. 1 for the 49ers when they needed him to be, but he's at his best one peg down. 

If the Colts get their hands on Jennings, it could instantly give them the top wide receiver room in their division. Why it's taking this long for Jennings to find a new home is interesting, but if the Colts are serious about contending next season, all the help they have to offer Daniel Jones should be in their interest. Jennings can be that help.