Draft Analysis: Jacob Cowing

April 16, 2024 /
  • Height: 5’8″
  • Weight: 168 lb.
  • College: Arizona
  • Tape watched: San Diego State (2022), Washington, USC, Oklahoma
  • NFL Comparison: Tank Dell

Pros

  • Explosiveness

Quick and fast, Cowing really jumps off the screen. He has a suddenness about his game that can be compared to DeSean Jackson. He can start and stop instantly, making his change of direction a major attribute of his game.

  • Route Running

Cowing owns the middle of the field at all levels. He is efficient with his angles and how he sets up route breaks. He may have some of the quickest and most explosive in and out breaks in the class. He has great body language through his route stems. Cowing snaps down off vertical stems really well.

  • Release

Lightning feet allows Cowing to attack leverages and move defenders off their marks. He uses his height to his advantage, avoiding contact by staying low and compact. Cowing devours cushions in off-coverage.

Midline

  • Blocking

Cowing is an adequate blocker both in technique and effort. He won’t move mountains or make impacts in the run game, but he isn’t a liability for his size, either.

  • YAC

Cowing’s size limits what he can do with the ball in his hands. I did appreciate his ability to slip arm tackles. He doesn’t shy away from tough situations. In 2021 and 2022, Cowing forced at least 14 missed tackles before dropping to only 8 in 2023.

Cons

  • Hands

At this point, you know what you’re getting with Cowing’s hands. He has dropped six or more passes in all five of his collegiate seasons. He shows a natural ability to respond and adjust to targets outside of his frame, but other times, he struggles to get his arms extended to make the play.

  • Size

Cowing looks to follow Tank Dell’s success before injury in 2023. Unfortunately, Dell did just that, miss half of his rookie year with a season ending injury. Their size profiles are concerning, and historically an indicator for lack of success.

Overview

Arizona truly ruined Jacob Cowing. They managed to turn one of college football’s statistically elite receivers into a slant, hitch, screen guy. When asked to push downfield and set up deep and intermediate routes, Cowing capitalized. He is one of the best route runners in the class, and his speed and explosiveness with the ball adds plenty of wrinkles to an offense. Cowing is a natural separator, and has a ton of upside if a team can tap into his 2021 UTEP season.