49ers Grab Productive WR Jordan Watkins

The 49ers selected Mississippi WR Jordan Watkins with the 138th pick of Round 4 in the 2025 NFL Draft. Watkins set career highs in yards, yards per catch, and TDs in 2024. Still, he ranked third on Mississippi in targets with a 16.5% share. Watkins emerged as a sophomore at Louisville, ranking second on the team in catches (35), yards (529), and TDs (4). He transferred to Ole Miss ahead of the 2022 season, joining potential Round 1 QB Jackson Dart. Watkins’ production never took off, though. He ranked third behind Malik Heath and Jonathan Mingo in receiving in ‘22. Watkins repeated the finish in ‘23, this time behind fellow prospect Tre Harris. He had a 8.78 Relative Athletic Score (RAS) based on his predraft testing. He also ranked 34th among Combine WRs in 2024 Target Share at 17.2%, and 25th among those WRs in PFF Receiving Grade with a 77.6. He is currently 23 years old with a Breakout Age of 22.6. He ranked 34th among WRs in our Draft Sharks predraft Rookie Model scoring a 5.88. Our Comp for him in our Rookie Guide is Nelson Agholor. Watkins could blossom into a real-life WR3, but he likely doesn’t have much upside past that.
2025 Fantasy Football Impact
Watkins will be a reserve for the 49ers, but he offers some athletic upside along with good production.
When Tre Harris got hurt, Watkins emerged as a viable threat
Still, he likely has no redraft value.
Dynasty Impact
Watkins lands in a good system with the 49ers, but he is likely buried enough to not make an impact long term
He could be a flier in deep dynasty leagues in the fifth round of rookie drafts.