Jacob Cowing

Career StatsD

Year	Team	GP	Rec	Yards	TD
Career		15	4	80	—
2024		15	4	80	0

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

**Jacob Cowing's four-year, $4.5M deal with the 49ers earns a B+ CVI — a solid value pickup for a rotational receiver at just $1.1M per year.** At that price point, San Francisco is getting meaningful depth without breaking the bank, especially considering Cowing's ability to contribute in multiple receiver sets and special teams packages. The minimal guaranteed money ($500K) gives the 49ers tremendous flexibility to cut bait if things don't work out, while the modest annual value means they're not overpaying for a player who projects as a situational contributor rather than a weekly starter. This contract structure is exactly what you want for depth pieces — low risk with legitimate upside if Cowing develops into something more than his current rotational role. For a team like San Francisco that values receiver depth and versatility in Kyle Shanahan's system, locking up a capable rotational player at this price represents smart roster management and salary cap allocation.

Performance Analysis

Jacob Cowing is a second-year wide receiver fighting for roster relevance with the San Francisco 49ers, carrying a D performance grade through 15 career games. At just 25, he remains a developmental prospect, but the window to establish himself as a reliable NFL contributor is narrowing fast. His current trajectory mirrors early-career journeymen who cycle through rosters without ever securing a defined role. The glaring tension in Cowing's profile is the stark contrast between his per-reception efficiency and his volume. His 20.0 yards per reception dwarfs the NFL average of 12.70 and clears the elite threshold of 17.30 — a legitimate big-play trait. However, his 5.33 receiving yards per game against an NFL average of 50.00 reveals he simply isn't on the field enough to matter. He's flashing elite burst in limited snaps, but a receiver who can't generate consistent volume is a luxury piece at best. His 2024 season graded out at an F, and unless San Francisco finds a meaningful role for him in 2025, his NFL shelf life grows short. Watch for whether he earns trust in training camp and carves out a specific schematic role — perhaps as a gadget deep threat. The talent is there in flashes; the opportunity has not followed.

Current Sentiment

Jacob Cowing's media coverage paints a picture of a replacement-level wide receiver clinging to his NFL career by the thinnest of margins. The prevailing narrative frames him as one of the most vulnerable roster spots on San Francisco's depth chart, with beat reporters consistently placing him on "veterans on the chopping block" lists following the draft. His minimal statistical production over two seasons has failed to create any compelling case for retention, and on a minimum-level contract, he carries zero financial protection that might otherwise buy him roster security. While the 49ers did open a practice window for him after injury, the media treats this more as organizational due diligence than genuine confidence in his abilities. Fan sentiment reflects this cautious outlook, viewing Cowing as a camp body rather than a legitimate contributor, with most coverage emphasizing his fight for professional survival rather than any meaningful role competition.