NBA Playoffs Series Preview: Cavaliers vs. Celtics
Alex Christenson
Last Updated: 1/29/2024
Jacob Cowing started his career at UTEP, where he amassed an impressive 2,595 receiving yards and 13 scores. After an impressive 1,354-yard season in 2021, Cowing transferred to Arizona, where he spent the last two years producing 1,882 receiving yards and 20 scores. This past season his 13 receiving touchdowns tied Troy Franklin for tops in the nation.
Cowing is a mere 5-foot-8, 157 pounds, but you wouldn’t know it by his play style. He is not a bruiser by any means, but he does not shy away from the middle of the field or contact at the catch point. As a route runner, he demonstrates excellent fluidity and leverage manipulation allowing him to create separation with ease. He has shown an ability to run complex routes and stack multiple breaks within a single route while maintaining quickness in and out of them. We also see a lot of plays that are designed to get him in space, where he can take advantage of his quickness and punt-returner skills. Despite not having world-class speed Cowing has good enough speed that he pairs with above-average ball-tracking ability to test a defense deep and take advantage of blown coverages. We also see an ability to decelerate and reaccelerate with ease through all areas of his game, which makes up for the lack of elite speed.
At the catch point, Cowing has displayed a routine ability to catch away from his body and outside his frame. He has soft hands while attacking the ball in the air well and highpoints it often. At times we also see him allow the ball to come to him when it is required. One big issue we see is some concentration-type drops, he gets caught looking upfield before corralling the ball at times. In addition, he has very good sideline awareness and boy control to make highlight reel plays along the boundary. Once the ball is in his hands, we see him create plenty of yards after the catch despite lacking a ton of elusivity. He leans on his speed manipulation and understanding of leverage to create space to produce large chunk plays.
Jacob Cowing is an intriguing prospect who has a wide range of outcomes due to his size. We have recently seen Tank Dell burst onto the scene for the Texans last year as a 5-foot-8 player, but the historical data is working against Cowing. I do think in the right situation we could see him become a chain mover at the NFL level leading to him becoming a PPR machine. On the flip side, we could see him become Isaiah McKenzie or other undersized players who have been relegated to more of a gadget/returner role at the NFL level. If his Rookie draft stock stays suppressed, he is worth a late-round dart throw, but I worry about how wide the range of outcomes is.
