How the Former Jaguars Wide Receiver Would Contribute to the 49ers WR Room
Former Jaguars receiver Gabe Davis was released by Jacksonville last Wednesday after just one season with the team. Today, Davis went on a team visit with the 49ers. San Francisco could use more help in the wide receiver room as they find different ways to fill the void that Brandon Aiyuk will leave early in the season, while coming back from his knee injury. San Francisco signed veteran receiver Demarcus Robinson earlier in the offseason and could look for more experience when considering the loss of Deebo Samuel as well. Davis provides an aspect the 49ers have always lacked on offense, which is a true deep threat.
The Jaguars signed the former Bills weapon to a large contract last offseason worth $39 million over three years. However, his production didn’t warrant that type of contract as he only recorded 239 yards and two touchdowns in 10 games in 2024. He has become a very boom-or-bust target in his career. In his Bills tenure, Davis was viewed as a complementary player in their receiving room alongside Stefon Diggs, and he became an effective deep threat for quarterback Josh Allen. Davis was never seen as a top receiver on a team, but when healthy, he can provide high upside and game-wrecking plays for any offense. It wasn’t too long ago when he had 201 yards and four touchdowns in a 2021 AFC Divisional shootout loss against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan has attempted to involve a true deep threat in his offense before. The team has used multiple high draft picks on players like Jalen Hurd, Dante Pettis, and Danny Gray, who all became draft busts for the 49ers. In the 2025 NFL Draft, they took another swing on the archetype by selecting Ole Miss receiver Jordan Watkins. The difference with adding Davis would be the fact that San Francisco secures a veteran deep threat with actual NFL-level production. The connection between a deep threat like Davis and quarterback Brock Purdy would be the big question when looking at the future of this 49ers offense, as Purdy lacks ideal arm strength compared to his former Bills teammate, Allen.
