The San Francisco 49ers are welcoming former Arizona wide receiver Jacob Cowing for a pre-draft visit as NFL teams finalize their evaluations ahead of the draft deadline. News of the visit comes from Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 in Houston.
During his 2023 senior season, Cowing registered 90 receptions for 848 yards and 13 touchdowns in 13 games, per Sports Reference. His best statistical season came in 2021 at UTEP, when he amassed a career-high 1,354 receiving yards and seven touchdowns, averaging an impressive 19.6 yards per catch. Cowing followed that up with a 1,034-yard, seven-touchdown campaign in 2022 after transferring to Arizona.
Over his five-year collegiate career, Cowing caught 316 passes for 4,477 yards with 33 touchdowns.
Arizona @ArizonaFBall wide receiver Jacob Cowing, in the Tank Dell mold at 5-8, 168 with 4.38 speed, excellent route running skills, visiting #49ers today, per a source. Set school record with 13 touchdown catches last season. Caught 90 passes for 848 yards, 13 touchdowns in 2023…
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) April 17, 2024
"The tape can be a fun watch when Cowing's field vision and athleticism shine after the catch in Arizona's quick game, but there are several boxes that go unchecked in the total evaluation," Lance Zierlein wrote in his NFL.com scouting report. "Cowing is a slightly built slot receiver who is more quick than he is fast and he lacks big-time separation. He is made for option routes underneath and displays a nose for the end zone. He must learn to maintain additional space as a static pass-catcher because he won't win very often when contested."
At the NFL Scouting Combine, the 5' 8 3/8" and 168-pound Cowing posted a 40-yard dash time of 4.38 seconds, a vertical jump of 36 inches, a broad jump of 9 feet, 11 inches, a 7.02-second three-cone drill time, and a 20-yard shuttle time of 4.32 seconds.
Zierlein concluded, "Cowing needs to limit drops, improve as a route-runner and display some punt-return talent to give himself the best chance of sticking on an NFL roster for a while."
Cowing ranks 117th on Pro Football Focus' big board. He earned an overall grade of 75.2 in 2023. His 90.3 overall grade in 2021 was the sixth-highest among qualifying wide receivers in 2021.
Visit our pre-draft tracker for a comprehensive overview of all reported formal and informal meetings between the 49ers and prospective NFL rookies.
The 2024 NFL Draft will take place in Detroit, Michigan, from Thursday, April 25, through Saturday, April 27.
