Jacob Cowing, not Ricky Pearsall might be the 49ers' rookie WR to watch

The 49ers finally fielded both of their rookie wide receivers together in Week 7, but Jacob Cowing might have a leg up on Ricky Pearsall.

Understandably, rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall received plenty of hype and attention during the San Francisco 49ers' Week 7 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.

Not only was the Niners' first-round NFL Draft pick from 2024 making his pro debut, but the occasion also marked the first time he took the field in the red and gold since being shot in an attempted robbery last August.

Needless to say, the standing ovation following Pearsall's first NFL catch was deserved. And it's a miracle he made it back onto the field in such a quick amount of time since the scary incident.

Coupled with veteran wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk's devastating injury that took place in the same game, one that all but ends his season, it makes sense why Pearsall will be shoved into the limelight much sooner than originally anticipated.

However, Pearsall might not be San Francisco's top rookie wideout to watch over the next few weeks.

Jacob Cowing might have an edge over Ricky Pearsall

The 49ers selected two wide receivers in last April's draft, Pearsall and Jacob Cowing, the latter in Round 4.

Cowing, too, made something of a debut in Week 7, appearing for the first time this year on offense after being featured solely on special teams over the first six weeks. In light of the Niners' shorthandedness at the position, the fourth-round pick hauled in two catches for 50 yards on three targets, including this 41-yard gain where Cowing flashed his notable speed:

Not to be wholly outdone, Pearsall had five targets of his own, hauling in three of those for 21 yards. And considering San Francisco has a lot more invested in him than Cowing, it'd be natural to assume Pearsall receives more attention in light of Aiyuk's injury.

However...

It's important to recall that Pearsall not only missed the first six weeks of the season, as well as preseason action, but he also was absent for much of the offseason program and training camp while dealing with a shoulder injury that held him out of practice.

In contrast, Cowing was present for those workouts and saw extensive action during the preseason. Despite not taking the field on offense for the first six weeks, it's not hard to see why he'd be much more acclimated to the 49ers offense than Pearsall at this point.

Granted, this isn't a situation that'll last a long time. Pearsall's maturation process will be expedited now, and he'll have a good deal of pressure placed upon him with the shortages the Niners are experiencing at wide receiver.

In the interim, though, Cowing could be the one who benefits most.

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