The San Francisco 49ers are entering the 2026 NFL season with a few new faces in the wide receiver room after losing Juan Jennings, Kendrick Bourne, and Brandon Aiyuk to new teams this offseason.
Mike Evans was the big signing, and Christian Kirk also came over in a free-agent deal. But, while the 49ers hope to get a vintage Evans, they're hoping to develop a young WR alongside Evans, Kirk, and Ricky Pearsall.
ESPN's Nick Wagoner shared that Evans had some lofty praise for one young receiver, but it's not the 49ers' 2026 second-round draft pick De'Zhaun Stribling. Instead, it's on 2024 draft choice Jacob Cowing.
Mike Evans has high praise for unexpected 49ers WR teammate
"He has a lot of juice, and he can add a lot to this team. "The speed down the field, the quickness. He's having a few really good weeks, and he's made a lot of plays," Evans said.
This comment from Evans comes amid Wagoner revealing the 2024 fourth-rounder as the team's "biggest surprise" this offseason ahead of training camp.
Cowing was reportedly "consistently making big plays down the field in team drills and 7-on-7," which has helped make him one of the more intriguing players for the 49ers this summer so far.
But, after missing all of 2025 due to injury, Cowing needs to stay healthy before becoming an actual component of the offense.
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During the 2024 season, he caught four of six targets for 80 yards and no touchdowns. He might not be a high-profile receiving option, and he might be the team's No. 6 WR behind Evans, Pearsall, Kirk, Stribling, and Demarcus Robinson.
But, if he can carry this positive momentum into training camp and the preseason, as Evans noted, Cowing might be able to bring speed and "juice" to the 49ers offense in 2026.
While it might've been nice for Stribling to be highlighted here by Evans and Wagoner, it's still nice to see Cowing get some appreciation. He might not be a starter, but as a special teamer and gadget WR, Cowing could have a nice role in 2026 for the 49ers.
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