2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Jacob Cowing (WR – Arizona)

As the NFL season winds down, FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL draft scouting reports before the combine in March. Here’s a look at Jacob Cowing.

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2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Jacob Cowing (WR – Arizona)

Jacob Cowing (WR – Arizona)

5’11” – 175 lbs.

Background:

Arizona native who originally attended Texas-El Paso, playing three seasons with the Miners and leading the team in receiving all three years, beginning with a freshman season of 31-550-3 (17.7). Production escalated throughout his tenure, going 41-691-3 (16.9) as a sophomore and then putting together a massive junior line of 69-1,354-7 (19.6) before transferring to Arizona, where he finished with an impressive 85-1,034-7 (12.2) line despite dealing with a knee injury.

Positives:

Highly productive receiver who has shown that he can produce against a higher level of competition. Quickness and technique allow him to release better at the line than his size would suggest. Pretty quick accelerator who can eat up cushions and put pressure on defenders sitting in off-coverage. Has been a rare deep threat out of the slot, with a relatively high percentage of his routes taking him to the third level of the field, often working double moves, which he sells well. Fast enough to threaten down the seams; leans into opponents before breaking. Shows the ability to get into and out of breaks quickly, with a low center of gravity. Works back to the ball when targeted on comebacks. Excellent ball skills for a player of his size; compensates for only adequate height with his leaping ability and the consistency with which he high-points throws. Makes good adjustments to the ball when targeted away from his frame. Can be dangerous after the catch and was often targeted on routes into the flats and other patterns of that nature to get him the ball with room to work; nice spin back outside when catching throws off of in-routes/slants. Positioning and balance as a blocker suggest some untapped potential.

Negatives:

Probably a slot-only receiver who may be asked to add more bulk/functional strength. Was able to make plays downfield in college but isn’t a true burner and can struggle to run past defenders in man. Glides through some stems a little bit, particularly on shorter routes, and would like to see a little bit more snap. Didn’t run many short routes, particularly those which take him over the middle of the field, and may not have the ideal frame for working between the hashes the next level; usage might be a little bit different as a pro than it was in college. Doesn’t show a consistent sense of urgency or physicality as a blocker, and upside in that area may be limited by his lack of ideal bulk.

Summary:

A productive, savvy slot receiver who has the speed, quickness, and savvy to contribute in that capacity as a pro and who is a little bit more dynamic than your typical slot target. Looks like he showed enough in college to second a spot on the second day of the draft as a relatively safe prospect.

Projection: Round 3