HEADLINES

Jacob Cowing

49ers Looking To Rookies For Returner Role

July 5th, 2024 at 6:48pm CST by Ely Allen

For the past two seasons, the 49ers have enjoyed the utility of veteran wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud. While only ever providing minimal use on offense with 26 catches for 378 yards and one touchdown as a receiver in San Francisco, McCloud has provided consistency as a return man. With McCloud now on the other side of the country as a Falcon, the 49ers will be looking to fill that returner role in 2024.

For that, San Francisco will likely look to two members of its rookie class. First-round wide receiver Ricky Pearsall and fourth-round wideout Jacob Cowing both have gotten early looks as returners.

An experienced punt returner for the Gators during his two seasons in Gainesville, Pearsall has the requisite experience to step into the role. As a fifth-year senior, he averaged 11.5 yards per return. His only kickoff return, though, came in his true freshman season with the Sun Devils in 2019. Pearsall’s allure during the draft process was his ability to play all over the offense and on special teams. Per ESPN’s Nick Wagoner, San Francisco has worked him out all over the field with the intention that he will be able to step in anywhere in case of injury.

Cowing had about the same number of returns as Pearsall in college during his two seasons at Arizona but failed to produce the same results. Still, Matt Barrows of The Athletic pegs him as the likelier candidate for a return job. Cowing is faster than McCloud was and a bit bigger, as well. His skillset with screens and end arounds would make him an ideal injury replacement for Deebo Samuel, as well.

The team still has second-year receiver Ronnie Bell, who was second on the team with 10 punt returns last year, and Samuel returned only four fewer kickoffs than McCloud in 2023. Still, Pearsall and Cowing may offer a bigger upside than Bell while allowing Samuel to remain on the sideline during special teams.

49ers Sign Round 2 CB Renardo Green, Two Other Draftees

May 9th, 2024 at 9:36pm CST by Sam Robinson

Dozens of undoubtedly high-end pens are being put to paper around NFL facilities today, and the 49ers are in on the rookie signing action. San Francisco inked three members of its rookie class Thursday night.

Second-round cornerback Renardo Green and fourth-round picks Isaac Guerendo, a running back, and Jacob Cowing (a wide receiver) are now signed to their four-year rookie deals. With Green being selected at No. 64, his contract will not be fully guaranteed. Last year’s second-round closer — Broncos wide receiver Marvin Mims, who arrived at No. 63 — received two fully guaranteed years and no guarantees into Year 3.

Although this 49ers draft is best known for being the first since 2021 to feature a first-rounder, Green is the team’s first second-round selection since 2022. The Florida State alum operated as a starter for two seasons, earning second-team All-ACC acclaim last year. The 49ers appear set to attempt to plug in the 6-foot corner into the slot role.

Since letting K’Waun Williams walk in 2022, the 49ers have been unable to find a steady slot presence. Logan Ryan ended up in the role to close last season; the veteran DB has since retired. The 49ers had hoped 2023 free agent signing Isaiah Oliver would fill the void alongside perimeter starters Charvarius Ward and Deommodore Lenoir, but he did not end up doing so and has since been released. Oliver caught on with the Jets.

While the 49ers have a host of young corners and veteran Isaac Yiadom on their roster and carry the option of moving Lenoir inside on passing downs, the team may still want a full-time slot cog. Though, 49ers GM John Lynch said the team views Green as a player capable of helping the cause inside or outside. With Lenoir and Ward in contract years, the team may need to turn to this year’s No. 64 overall pick as a regular by 2025 at the latest.