Final 49ers draft pick could become a surprise game-changer

You won't be thrilled knowing the last time the San Francisco 49ers returned a kickoff for a touchdown was back in 2018 when then-Niners wide receiver Richie James did so against the Seattle Seahawks.

You'd be even more disgruntled when realizing the last time San Francisco returned a punt for a touchdown was back when Ted Ginn did it long ago in 2011.

Perhaps that changes in the wake of the 49ers grabbing Montana wide receiver and return specialist Junior Bergen, their final selection of the 2025 NFL Draft.

Bergen, 5-foot-9 and 184 pounds, isn't exactly built to withstand the rigors of being a regular contributor on offense, and his offensive contributions at the collegiate level were limited anyway.

That said, and in light of the Niners' previous woes in the return game, there's a clear path for the seventh-round rookie to carve out an immediate role on special teams and make a substantial impact in doing so.

Junior Bergen could be 49ers' next X-factor they so desperately needed

Bergen returned eight punts for touchdowns during his collegiate tenure. Even if the chance to do so at the pro level diminish somewhat, San Francisco desperately needs to improve its average starting field position from a year ago: averaging offensive starts on the 29.2-yard line, 24th in the league.

That was part of the reason why the 49ers brought aboard well-respected special teams coordinator Brant Boyer this offseason after a lengthy tenure with the New York Jets.

And it sure seems as if Boyer, whose son played alongside the receiver at Montana, had his sights on Bergen as an option.

"He was as productive as a returner as it gets out there," Boyer said of Bergen, via Sports Illustrated's Grant Cohn. "If you want to say he has the it factor, I think he does. He's one of the hardest workers on the team. He's a great kid. He's going to come in here and do everything he can to make this football team. Teams tried to kick away from him all the time and any opportunity that they gave him, he made the most of it."

While it's easy to overlook special teams, there's no doubting how the hand-in-glove relation can impact the offense in a subtle (or not so subtle) manner.

Adding Bergen might not directly impact the Niners offense. But, if the rookie emerges as a special team's X-factor who can heavily influence field position while scoring a touchdown or two, it'll be safe to say he's a game-changer.