Summary

Jacob Cowing was selected in Round 4 (#135 Overall) of the 2024 NFL Draft, 135th overall out of University of Arizona. After transferring from UTEP, Cowing emerged as one of the most prolific receivers in college football, finishing his career with 268 receptions for 4,477 yards and 27 touchdowns, ranking among the NCAA leaders in receptions and receiving yards. In his final season at Arizona (2023), he recorded 90 catches for 1,848 yards and 13 touchdowns, earning First-Team All-Pac-12 honors and establishing himself as a premier vertical and yards-after-catch threat. He entered the NFL with a reputation for explosiveness, competitiveness, and toughness, along with a strong work ethic and team-first mentality. Coaches and evaluators consistently praise his character, preparation habits, and resilience, traits that helped him rise from a smaller program to national prominence and ultimately to the NFL.

Strengths

• Explosive Speed: Legitimate vertical threat with the ability to stress coverage immediately and force safeties to respect his deep speed paired with excellent ability to locate and adjust to the football on deep throws despite smaller frame.

• Separation Ability: Comfortable playing outside or in the slot; can be used on motions, jet actions, and schemed touches. Sharp releases and suddenness at the top of routes allow him to consistently create space against man and zone coverage.

• Yards After Catch (YAC): Dynamic in the open field; accelerates quickly and makes defenders miss with elusiveness and vision. Plays with edge and urgency; does not shy away from contact and fights for extra yards.

• Special Teams Value: Experience and athletic profile project well to punt return and coverage roles early in career.

Weaknesses

• Size & Play Strength: Undersized frame with a .78 Height and. 51 Weight RAS composite for his position limits his effectiveness against physical press coverage and contested catches.

• Catch Radius: Smaller wingspan narrows margin for error on off-target throws requiring a highly accurate passer to get the most out of his game. Can also be disrupted by longer, physical corners at the line of scrimmage.

• Blocking Impact: Effort is present, but size limits effectiveness as a perimeter blocker in the run game.

• Durability Concerns: Slender build raises questions about long-term durability with high usage over the middle. His pro career has largely been hampered by his unavailability thus far.

Outlook

Cowing is best suited for modern, space-oriented offenses that emphasize speed, motion, and yards after catch, making his fit with San Francisco particularly strong. In Kyle Shanahan’s system, Cowing profiles as a schemed-touch weapon capable of contributing on jet sweeps, screens, crossers, and vertical shots, while also stretching coverage to open space for other playmakers. His speed forces defensive backs to play with cushion, which aligns well with timing-based route concepts. Early in his career, Cowing projects as a rotational receiver, slot option, and special teams contributor, with the upside to develop into a high-impact complementary weapon if his route refinement and strength continue to improve. While he may never be a traditional WR1 due to size limitations, his explosiveness and versatility give him the potential to become a dangerous matchup player and a valuable offensive chess piece capable of flipping field position with a single touch.