San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh has urged AJ Jenkins to work hard for his place in the 53-man roster.

The second-year wide receiver was picked in the first round of last year's draft, but Harbaugh said that he will only pick the player should he prove himself in pre-season.

"Things factor in, but football hasn't changed since its inception," Harbaugh told reporters. "The best players make the team.

"He's shown good things. [He'll] do some additional things this week. Put him in some additional roles to see how he does with that.

"Like any particular player, there's a process there. He's going through it and he's competing. He's working hard."

Jenkins made three appearances only for the beaten 2012 Super Bowl finalists.