With injuries disrupting his offseason workout program and training camp, San Francisco 49ers rookie Jacob Cowing had not enjoyed many opportunities to demonstrate his upside, but that changed on Sunday as he made his preseason debut against the New Orleans Saints.
Cowing was not involved last week in the loss to the Tennessee Titans, but the fourth-round pick proved worth the wait as he played a starring role in an entertaining 16-10 win over the Saints.
The former Arizona speedster, who clocked a 4.3 40-yard dash in the pre-draft process, had 70 yards on five offensive touches. He also had two punt returns for 19 yards.
It was a 38-yard reception from Joshua Dobbs that served as the highlight for Cowing, who displayed outstanding concentration to reel in a slightly underthrown ball after creating separation with an 'out-and-up'.
That catch and his overall performance clearly improved Cowing's hopes of having a defined role in his rookie season.
Asked about Cowing, Kyle Shanahan said in his post-game press conference: "I was happy with him. First and foremost his poise on the punt returns was good to see. Made a couple plays on jet sweep, a couple plays as a receiver."
Beyond that, Cowing's downfield reception served as a significant boost to Dobbs as he looks to nail down the QB2 role.
It was Dobbs' best passing play of a spectacular second-quarter showing in which his hugely entertaining talents as a scrambler came to the fore. Dobbs completed 12 of 21 passes for 133 yards and rushed for 25 yards and a touchdown, keeping his balance on a zone-read on fourth down from the one-yard line to put San Francisco ahead.
Dobbs' success in making things happen with his legs will likely prove the key differentiator between himself and Brandon Allen, with whom he has been battling for that second-string job.
Allen also performed well, completing seven of 10 passes for 36 yards, yet Dobbs' second-reaction ability allows him to punish defenses who do not respect what he can do with his legs. While it's clear both Allen and Dobbs can run the offense well, the latter carries playmaking prowess that should give him an ultimately decisive edge.
Between his pump-fake shot play to Cowing and his improvisiational strengths, Dobbs deserves to now have a clear lead over Allen in their quarterback battle.
Asked about Dobbs and his all-action display, starting quarterback Brock Purdy summed it up nicely.
"He's a baller man," said Purdy.
If he makes a more receptions like the one he corralled to set up that Dobbs rushing score, such compliments could soon be passed to Cowing as he aims to make up for lost time.
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