Why the 49ers Drafted WR Jacob Cowing

There was no way the 49ers could've avoided drafting Arizona receiver Jacob Cowing. Kyle Shanahan explains why.

Nov 25, 2023; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats wide receiver Jacob Cowing (2) against the / Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Two wide receivers were taken in the 2024 NFL draft by the San Francisco 49ers.

It was a bit of a surprise considering they had already drafted Ricky Pearsall in the first round. That alone gave them a good contingency for 2025, but with the way the draft played out, there was no way the 49ers could've avoided drafting Arizona receiver Jacob Cowing.

The value made too much sense in the fourth round at pick No. 136 to take Cowing. Value aside, the 49ers were really infatuated with Cowing. Kyle Shanahan explains why the 49ers drafted Cowing and couldn't pass him up.

“Very similar to what we got with Ricky [Pearsall] in that there's not a route that he can't run," said Shanahan. "He starts outside the numbers and he’s got the speed to get on top of people and threaten with a go. He’s got the quickness. Inside he'd be a big problem with just how shifty he is. He can run screens and things like that.

"Very good punt returner. For his lack of size, he makes up with mentality. His mindset, when he does cut, he's always accelerating out of a cut. He's trying to violently go through people and when you're smaller, you hope they're faster and quicker, which he is, and anything that you wanna knock on a smaller guy he makes up for in his mindset.”

Cowing is another receiver that is predominantly a slot receiver who has the capability of moving to the outside. That is the type of receiver that interests Shanahan. He loves players who have versatility, and Cowing provides special teams impact too.

Now, he won't be someone the 49ers will look for in a crowded moment for a contested catch. But they do not need him to be. This is where Cowing fits so well in the offense. Shanahan is able to utilize his skills as a crisp route runner to free him open so that Brock Purdy can deliver.

Drafting two wide receivers feels like overkill, but when a receiver like Cowing is sitting there in the fourth round, the 49ers have no choice but to get him.