The San Francisco 49ers surprised many with their decision to draft a wide receiver with their first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
But arguably just as significant was their choice to double up at the position, following the first-round pick of Ricky Pearsall with a fourth-round selection of Arizona wide receiver Jacob Cowing.
Cowing gives the 49ers something they've not had since Marquise Goodwin's departure following the 2019 season, a true deep threat with 4.3 speed, giving San Francisco another avenue through which to punish opponents that attempt to defend their passing game with man coverage.
But Cowing also believes he can end a 49ers wait that stretches back much longer.
The Niners have not had a player return a punt for a touchdown since Week 1 of the 2011 season, when Ted Ginn Jr. returned both a kickoff and a punt for a score in Jim Harbaugh's first game as head coach.
Cowing, though, is backing himself to change that.
He is in the mix to be the 49ers' punt returner as a rookie following the departure of Ray-Ray McCloud and said on Friday of his potential in that role: "I think in this moment for me, it’s just continuing to get better at that aspect of my game.
"It’s catching and getting comfortable and just trying to get the ball down the field and trying to go score touchdowns.
"I heard that over a decade here it hasn’t been accomplished yet, so it’s definitely one of my goals this year."
Cowing had limited experience as a returner in college, averaging 6.7 yards on 18 punt runbacks over his two seasons with Arizona after transferring from UTEP.
But, with acceleration, change of direction ability and excellent stop-start quickness, Cowing has the physical gifts to do significantly more damage in the pros as a returner.
The 49ers' last punt return touchdown happened in a game in which John Lynch was the color announcer. Lynch will hope his latest receiver selection will allow him to bear witness to another as the 49ers' general manager 13 years later.
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