What happened: San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jordan Watkins is pushing for a role on special teams after a high ankle sprain derailed his rookie campaign. During recent OTAs, he handled primary kick and punt return duties alongside Jacob Cowing. Watkins distinguished himself as the only candidate in the group who did not muff a punt.
Why it matters: Securing a special teams job offers Watkins a viable path to the active roster, especially after the addition of Mike Evans. Head coach Kyle Shanahan previously explained that missing training camp as a rookie severely stunted the wideout's development in the offensive scheme.
By the numbers: The second-year receiver ran just 15 routes and played primarily as an isolated 'X' target last season. He carries a $1.17 million salary cap hit for the upcoming 2026 campaign.
What to watch: Watkins must maintain his sure-handedness on returns throughout training camp to stave off competition from Will Pauling and solidify his roster spot.