The 49ers haven’t had a wide receiver like Jacob Cowing before.
He’s 5’8″ and weighs 168 lbs, so he’s quite small. But he runs a 4.38 in the 40-yard dash, and he’s more than just fast. He’s a well-rounded receiver who runs good routes, can catch well, and isn’t afraid to take hits in the middle of the field.
He can perform well in short, intermediate, and deep routes. He’s also effective on screens, jet sweeps, and reverses, making him a great fit for the 49ers and significantly boosting their speed.
The 49ers picked Cowing in the fourth round with the 135th pick, making him their second wide receiver draft choice this year. The first was Ricky Pearsall, chosen in the first round.
The 49ers didn’t have a formal visit with Pearsall before the draft and didn’t give him a first-round grade, so it’s worth wondering if he was their top choice.
It seems the 49ers might have preferred wide receiver Xavier Worthy, but the Chiefs traded up and selected him before the 49ers had the chance.
Like Cowing, Worthy is a smaller, very fast receiver who excels in route running, gadget plays, and punt returns. Worthy set a record at the NFL Combine with a 4.21 40-yard dash.
Cowing is similar in style, and he might have a better career with the 49ers than Pearsall, who has a shoulder issue that might require surgery.
Cowing also had a more productive college career compared to Pearsall, with 13 touchdown catches last season versus Pearsall’s 14 over five seasons.
It will be interesting to see how Kyle Shanahan uses Cowing.
