How Jordan Watkins amazingly foreshadowed his first NFL TD in 49ers' win

Jordan Watkins How Jordan Watkins amazingly foreshadowed his first NFL TD in 49ers' win Jordan Watkins had an inkling he would catch his first NFL touchdown and that prediction came true in the San Francisco 49ers' win in Week 9. By Kevin Topley • Published November 8, 2026 • Updated on November 8, 2026 at 7:03 pm Jordan Watkins knew the touchdown was coming before the 49ers ever called the play. Watkins caught his first career touchdown Sunday, a contested, leaping 37-yard grab over the middle from Brock Purdy late in the third quarter that pushed San Francisco's lead in a 38-17 Week 9 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. Watch NBC Bay Area News free wherever you are WATCH HERE In an interview with NBC Sports Bay Area's Bonta Hill on "49ers Postgame Live," Watkins said he saw it coming. Jordan Watkins comes down with his first-career touchdown 🙌 pic.twitter.com/Q3ODvdN9Ms — 49ers on NBCS (@NBCS49ers) November 8, 2026 "It's kind of crazy. I was talking to B. Cooks [Brandin Cooks] the first half, and I was like, 'Man, if they call this play, it's going to be a touchdown in the post. I know it. I got a feeling,' " Watkins told Hill. "And then we came out of halftime, we talked about it a little bit, and then we finally got it called, and sure enough, there it was, touchdown." The play was the product of work Watkins and Purdy have put in, and a trust that has grown over the last few weeks. Watkins said he was close to a big play against the Falcons in Week 7, and that Purdy kept looking his way. "He threw it up there and kind of gave me some opps [opportunities], and I was just that, that, that close to making the play," Watkins said. "I think it carried over to this week to where he's just like, that's my guy, let me throw it up, let me see what he can do." San Francisco 49ers NFL 1 hour ago Winners and losers from NFL trade deadline: 49ers, Jaguars, Raiders on list Breaking News 3 hours ago How veteran WR Keenan Allen boosts depleted 49ers' biggest position of need Jordan Watkins foreshadowed his first NFL TD 🔮 pic.twitter.com/Z33UxZw3Rv — 49ers on NBCS (@NBCS49ers) November 9, 2026 Watkins believes the moment showed what the offseason and training camp were for. "To be able to go up, to make a play and have Brock trust me like that, that just shows all the work that we put in in the offseason and camp, and leading up to this moment," Watkins said. The trust, Watkins said, goes beyond Purdy. He pointed to head coach Kyle Shanahan, who has to call the plays that put him in position to make them. Watkins said he cannot always know where the ball is going, but a feeling based on what the defense plays helps him. "To have Kyle put me in those spots, in those situations to be able to go and make a play, it means a lot," Watkins said. "Especially from where I started the beginning of the season, being in sweats down in Melbourne, so to be able to have him trust me and keep building on it throughout the season, it's been awesome." The opportunity has come with a receiver room that keeps getting thinner. The 49ers played without Mike Evans and Deebo Samuel on Sunday, and they placed Christian Kirk on injured reserve Saturday after he hurt his meniscus in practice. Demarcus Robinson returned from injured reserve after missing five games with a high-ankle sprain, but it was Watkins who led the team with 86 receiving yards. From sweats in Melbourne to the end zone against the Raiders, Watkins has become one of the few bright spots in a receiver room that still is waiting on its stars. Download and follow the 49ers Talk Podcast This article tagged under: Jordan Watkins Brock Purdy Kyle Shanahan Deebo Samuel Mike Evans