49ers HC Kyle Shanahan makes strong statement about former Tennessee WR Jauan Jennings and his lack of elite speed

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan thinks former Tennessee Vols wide receiver Jauan Jennings has "probably" been his team's "best separator" despite not having elite speed.

Shanahan appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area ahead of the 49ers' showdown in Week 4 with the New England Patriots and he was asked about Jennings' breakout performance in Week 3 against the Los Angeles Rams (11 receptions for 175 yards and three touchdowns).

"He's been probably our best separator here over the last few years," said Shanahan. "He goes so hard. The way he comes off the ball, when he hits contact, he doesn't slow down at all. If someone's holding him, you never see him act like he's getting grabbed. He fights through everything. The way he blocks is the way he runs routes. It's just a mindset that he has -- that no one can stop him."

"When you have that mindset," continued Shanahan. "When you have some size, some sneaky strength, and yeah, he may not have the fastest times and test the fastest, but I just don't think he's a good tester. He didn't jump the highest at the combine. But the guy can do a 360 dunk. So, it's kind of an anomaly. But the guy is wired the right way, and he's always had the mentality to play football. And he got a lot more opportunities in this game with Deebo (Samuel) being out and he'd tell you that he'd do that every week if he just gets more opportunities. And I don't think he's wrong."

Jennings is a great example of why the NFL Draft combine, and testing numbers in general, are incredibly overrated. Sure, future NFL players need to have elite athletic abilities. But the fact that a tenth of a second difference in the 40-yard dash elevates the draft stock of a player will never stop being mind-blowing to me. Running in a straight line in Indianapolis with no pads on in February is about as far away from a game-like situation as you can get while still being on a football field.

Testing numbers don't tell you a thing about a player's compete level. It doesn't tell you if they treat practices like a championship game. It doesn't tell you what kind of mindset a player has in the fourth quarter of a tight game when plays have to be made. And it certainly doesn't tell you what kind of teammate they are.

Jennings is in the NFL because he's an elite competitor who does everything he can on every play to help his team win the game. Sometimes that means run-blocking, sometimes it means throwing a touchdown pass in the Super Bowl. Whatever is asked of Jennings is what you'll find him doing on Sundays.

Maybe Jennings will be the player that finally puts an end to the obsession over combine testing numbers.

Related: New report pours cold water on popular conspiracy theory involving the Tennessee Vols