Former Tennessee Vols wide receiver Jauan Jennings has had a heck of a start to his NFL career out on the West Coast with the San Francisco 49ers. The VFL has developed into an important part of the Niners’ passing attack over his five seasons in the Bay Area.

In 75 games with 32 starts, Jennings has totaled 210 catches for 2581 yards and 22 touchdowns. His opportunities have picked up over the last two years with star 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk out with a knee injury. He led the Niners’ wideouts in catches (77) and yards (975) with six touchdowns in 2024. Last season, he 55 catches for 643 yards and a team-high nine receiving touchdowns.

Now, Jennings is a free agent and should be one of the top wide receivers on the market next month when free agency begins. Where will he end up? Well, one ESPN NFL writer thinks he could be much closer to Knoxville.

Matt Bowen put out his best fits for his top 50 NFL free agents, and at No. 28, he has the Carolina Panthers as Jennings’ best fit.

ESPN’s Matt Bowen says Carolina Panthers are best fit for Jauan Jennings

This is what Bowen had to say about Jennings and Carolina:

“The 49ers’ top WR in 2025 can use his 6-foot-3, 212-pound frame and route-running skills to make himself available to quarterback Bryce Young, especially in critical down-and-distance situations. Plus, with Jennings joining Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker, the Panthers would have a versatile receiving group that can work every level of the field.”

Jennings would quickly step in as a very capable WR2 alongside NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and budding star Tetairoa McMillan. Jennings’ route running, size, and hands would add a short yardage presence and another red zone target for QB Bryce Young.

But aside from Jennings’ contribution to the passing game, the Panthers have shown themselves to be a team committed to being a physical, ground and pound team. They’ve invested in their offensive line, and head coach Dave Canales has shown a good balance in his offense.

There are few wide receivers who are better blockers and more physical players than Jennings, as Tennessee fans well know. He would improve the Panthers’ outside running game. With plenty of time logged in the slot (238 of his 901 snaps last season), he can be a useful chess piece to move around and add a capable blocker outside of the tackles in a number of spots.

We’ll see where Jennings ends up next month, but with Charlotte being one of the closest NFL markets to Knoxville, there would undoubtedly be a number of Vol fans who would be excited to see Jennings back and playing with a short drive of East Tennessee.

Tennessee Volunteers News

‘You just don’t see many guys do that’ — Todd McShay was wowed by under-the-radar moment by Chris Brazzell II in Georgia game

The VFL had a huge game, but it was a singular moment in a lesser moment that caught his attention.

Craig Smith