Summary

Jacob Cowing is a speedy, explosive wide receiver who entered the NFL as a fourth-round pick by the San Francisco 49ers in 2024 (135th overall) from University of Arizona. At 5′9″ and ~171 lbs, he isn’t the biggest target, but his track record as a playmaker at the collegiate level and his raw athleticism give him intriguing upside. He’s still early in his pro career, and his role and consistency are very much works in progress, but he brings a number of spark-plug traits that can help in the right package.

Strengths

• Explosive speed & big-play ability

  • Cowing ran a 4.38 sec 40-yard dash at the Combine, showing genuine speed. SI

  • During college he averaged high yards per reception in his best seasons: e.g., over 1,300 yards in 2021 at UTEP. University of Arizona Athletics

  • His yards-per-catch number (~20.0) as a rookie in limited snaps shows he can make big plays when targeted. San Francisco 49ers

• High college production & consistency as a receiver

  • At UTEP, he was First Team All-CUSA in 2021 with 69 catches for 1,354 yards. University of Arizona Athletics

  • At Arizona, he posted solid numbers, showing he could succeed at a higher-level program. University of Arizona Athletics

  • He finished his college career with over 4,000 receiving yards among FBS players. San Francisco 49ers

• Versatility & special teams value

  • He’s been used in punt return roles and has value as a gadget or change-of-pace receiver in the NFL. SI

  • His smaller frame combined with speed gives him potential in the slot or in space-based roles.

Weaknesses

Size / physical profile limitations

• At 5′9″ and 171 lbs, he is smaller than the prototypical NFL outside receiver; that can limit contested catch opportunities and physical matchups. ESPN.com

• Some scouting commentary suggests his stature may restrict usage in certain alignments or require him to avoid heavy press or bigger corners. SI

1. Limited early role & production in the NFL

   • As a rookie he had very limited targets (6 targets, 4 catches) despite playing 15 games. San Francisco 49ers

   • Because his snaps were limited, the sample size to judge his pro ability is small; he’s still on the developmental curve.

2. Injury & consistency concerns

   • He has been placed on injured reserve due to a hamstring strain in the 2025 preseason. Niners Nation

   • Some commentary indicates his punt return performance was below average in his rookie year (~8.8 yards per return) which suggests special teams value is not locked in yet. SI

3. Need to refine route-running / integration into pro scheme

   • Smaller receivers often must excel in precision route-running, separation, and reading defenses; those are areas where Cowing needs further growth. Some scouts note he was lower in the progression for his QB in his rookie year. SI

Fit & Outlook

Jacob Cowing has the tools to carve out a meaningful role in the NFL, particularly as a deep-threat or slot specialist with return ability. His speed and college production point to upside; however, the key for his future will be:

• Earning more consistent offensive snaps and targets — transitioning from gadget role to more integral contributor.

• Staying healthy (avoiding or recovering well from the hamstring) and proving he can contribute on a weekly basis.

• Refining his craft: route-running, separation against NFL-level corners, and understanding the pro-level offensive system and progression.

• Maximizing his special teams value to ensure he remains on the roster, which will also allow for offensive opportunities to grow.

If he makes those strides, Cowing could become a reliable secondary weapon in the 49ers’ passing game. Given his speed and explosiveness, he carries upside beyond just a depth piece — but the leap from potential to consistent production is still ahead of him.