One might make the argument the San Francisco 49ers' wide receiver room is the biggest question mark on the roster heading into 2025, especially if just focusing solely on the offensive side of the ball.
After all, trading away All-Pro Deebo Samuel and awaiting fellow wideout Brandon Aiyuk's return from a torn ACL and MCL suffered last year doesn't exactly leave the Niners in great shape.
As of now, San Francisco is penciling in Jauan Jennings and second-year pro Ricky Pearsall as its top two wide receivers, while rookie Jordan Watkins is making a claim to be at least included in the discussion.
However, another second-year pro is projecting to be a vital part of head coach Kyle Shanahan's passing attack, and it's an unexpected (yet positive) development.
Jacob Cowing.
Jacob Cowing is more important to 49ers offense than you might think
Cowing, whom the 49ers selected in Round 4 of the 2024 draft, brought speed and playmaking ability with him out of Arizona. But, as is so often the case for first-year receivers in Shanahan's offense, the rookie pressure ultimately led to disappointment.
By year's end, Cowing had just four catches for 80 yards while seeing a bit more action on punt returns -- 28 attempts for 245 yards.
OK, not horrendous for a fourth-round draftee with plenty of higher-profile receivers ahead of him on the depth chart. However, in light of the Niners' offseason changes at the position, the door is fully open for the 5-foot-9 and 171-pound receiver to take full advantage.
And it sounds like he's doing just that.
Speaking from mandatory minicamp, Shanahan was more than just positive with his outlook on Cowing entering year two:
"Jacob, I thought put in some of the most work that anyone did over the offseason. Just as far as doing it before Phase One started and then continuing it through One, Two, and Three. And I think it’s really transferred over into those OTA practices."
Granted, it's one thing to do the physical work and have it translate over to padless practices, as are the norm during OTAs and minicamp. It'll be another when the pads come on and contact is permitted at training camp later this summer.
That said, it certainly appears as if the second-year receiver holds the key to fully rounding out San Francisco's wide receiver room, and the coaching staff is taking notice.
"We’ll get Jake as much involved as he shows his growth and development and what kind of camp he has," offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak told NBC Sports Bay Area's Jennifer Lee Chan last May. "And Jake has done an outstanding job of showing up to our offseason in great shape and he’s getting better."
Sure, Pearsall is under pressure to live up to his lofty first-round draft status in year two, but Cowing might ultimately be the true wild card here, emerging as the vital complementary piece that supports the remaining names on the depth chart.
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