Niners Nation
A pair of young wideouts destined to make plays for the 49ers in 2025, but will Jacob Cowing or Jordan Watkins have a bigger role?
It’s amusing to see grand proclamations during OTA practices, regardless of position. How can you possibly come to the conclusion that an offensive lineman is standing out when there are no padded practices? Should we really be impressed by skill players when they don’t have to face the physicality that comes during training camp?
The answer is no, but in a day and age where you have to have an opinion about everything, that isn’t stopping anybody. The San Francisco 49ers wrapped up their voluntary offseason workout Thursday with their final OTA practice. They’ll have two mandatory minicamp practices next week before taking a month and a half or so break until training camp kicks off.
During these sessions, rookie wide receiver Jordan Watkins and second-year wideout Jacob Cowing have caught the eyes of quarterbacks and coaches. Ricky Pearsall and Brandon Aiyuk aren’t practicing, while Demarcus Robinson is facing a possible suspension. These absences have opened the door for Watkins and Cowing to build a rapport with the QBs while asserting themselves in the offense.
For today’s question of the day, we ask which youngster will be a bigger contributor to the 49ers offense this season.
Brock Purdy acknowledged that Cowing is doing small things, like being the first one in the wide receiver lines during warm-ups. Purdy went as far as to say Cowing is “taking a huge leap,” which should make your ears perk up when the starting quarterback says that.
Then again, Purdy didn’t sell Watkins short, saying, “He’s balling, man. Jordan Watkins has been balling from Day 1, really.” According to Purdy, Watkins has had a lot of explosive plays down the field and is “a rookie that has popped out in front of everybody.”
My answer: Jacob Cowing
This is just me trying to put two and two together, but I believe Watkins will be brought along slower than Cowing, which in turn will limit his opportunities. I’m not denying his athleticism or ability to stretch the field, but the learning curve from what Ole Miss asked of their wide receivers compared to what the 49ers will is night and day.
Cowing has a year under his belt. He’s seen the demands of his coaches, quarterback, and other wideouts. Cowing not only can use that to his advantage, but he has a leg-up on the playbook, too. I think Cowing will have a bigger impact because of where he’ll win.
Cowing is aware enough to recognize the soft spots in zone coverage and fast enough to run away from man coverage on deep crossing routes the 49ers love to run. That one year of being a pro will pay off in this competition for Cowing, so he’s my answer.
Who are you going with?
