The San Francisco 49ers are heading into Thursday’s preseason showdown against the Los Angeles Chargers still trying to nail down some crucial roster spots, and man, is that receiver/returner battle heating up! It really looks like Jordan Watkins is fighting an uphill battle, especially after his performance last week, which means a huge opportunity is opening up.
Jordan Watkins’ Up-and-Down Battle for a Roster Spot
Watkins got a ton of run last week, playing a massive 63 snaps, mostly out wide, with only six in the slot. The coaching staff is clearly trying to get a good look at the guy. He hauled in six of nine targets for 59 yards, snagging 23 yards after the catch. That sounds okay on paper, right? But dig deeper: two of those targets were behind the line, and three more were short underneath nine yards. His best play, a 20-yard grab behind him, didn’t even count. Talk about frustrating!
And consistency? Nah, that’s been a real struggle for Watkins in August. Catching the ball reliably and dealing with physicality have been issues. Remember that 32-yard reception by De’Zhaun Stribling? Watkins was still “dancing his way into the route” when Kurtis Rourke was already getting blitzed. QBs notice those “little things,” and that’s exactly why Rourke was looking for Malik Turner more. Most of Watkins’ targets came from Adrian Martinez. On special teams, he fair-caught one punt, returned another for just four yards, and didn’t get a shot at a kick return. Not exactly lighting it up.
Jacob Cowing’s Speed Is the X-Factor the 49ers Need
Enter Jacob Cowing, sidelined for weeks with a hip injury but finally back and making noise. This guy looked incredible in OTAs, and the moment he returned to practice last Saturday and Sunday, the 49ers were already taking advantage of his electric speed. I’m telling you, Cowing plays as fast as his 40 time, he can legitimately blow by any defensive back. That was clear in the final OTA practice, too. This isn’t just hype, it’s a real game-changer, especially with Ricky Pearsall sidelined.
The 49ers desperately need Cowing’s dynamic ability at Z receiver. Sure, Deebo Samuel can pick up some slack, but teams just don’t defend Samuel or Demarcus Robinson the same way they’d defend a speed demon like Cowing. That pure velocity opens up the entire field. Cowing is also gonna get a crack at both return spots, alongside Watkins and undrafted rookie Will Pauling. If he or Watkins can make a splash play on special teams, it makes it super tough to cut them. But for Cowing, the next two weeks are absolutely massive. Can his body hold up? That’s the million-dollar question, but if it does, he’s got a real shot.
The Thursday game against the Chargers is where the rubber meets the road. These guys are fighting for their NFL lives, especially Cowing and Watkins. If Cowing can prove he’s healthy and unleash that speed, and if Watkins can somehow find consistency, it’s gonna be a tough call. But right now, the momentum feels like it’s shifting, and the 49ers could really use a dynamic playmaker like Cowing to step up big time.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Niners Nation.
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