As the old saying goes, once NFL players step onto the field at training camp, where you were drafted goes out the window.
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver and 2024 4th-round pick Jacob Cowing might find that out the hard way this season, thanks to an unexpected and growing threat to his roster security.
“Today I must discuss rookie WR Will Pauling, who’s another contender in the (punt returner) competition,” 49ers reporter David Lombardi wrote on his official X account on Friday. “Big catch-and-run today for the 5-9 Pauling, who was Notre Dame’s most reliable WR last year. Jacob Cowing on notice — he has a LOT of competition.”
Cowing made a negligible impact on punt returns as a rookie in 2024 (28 returns for 245 yards) and missed the entire 2025 season with a hamstring injury.
Why 49ers WR Will Pauling Went Undrafted
Pauling, 5-foot-9 and 183 pounds, went undrafted over concerns about his size. In terms of athleticism and speed, he certainly matches what the 49ers are asking of him — he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.48 seconds at Notre Dame’s Pro Day to go with a 42.5-inch vertical leap and a 10-foot-8 broad jump.
ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg put Pauling at the top of his list of possible NFL Draft Sleepers before the 2026 draft.
“Notre Dame has several offensive playmakers set to go early in the draft, including Doak Walker Award-winning running back Jeremiyah Love, backup running back and All-America kick returner Jadarian Price and wide receiver Malachi Fields,” Rittenberg wrote. “But coach Marcus Freeman is bullish on Pauling, who had limited production in his lone season with the Fighting Irish but showcased his big-play ability during a midseason stretch that included five straight games with a touchdown catch. Pauling shined at Notre Dame’s pro day, running a 4.37 in the 40-yard dash.”
49ers Forced to Make Big Move at Wide Receiver
The news that 49ers wide receiver and 2024 1st-round pick Ricky Pearsall was undergoing season-ending knee surgery forced the team to make a big move — bringing back free agent wide receiver and former NFL All-Pro Deebo Samuel on July 30.
Samuel was traded from the 49ers to the Washington Commanders before the 2025 season and came back to the 49ers on a 1-year, $7 million contract.
“Reunion: Free agent WR Deebo Samuel is signing back with the 49ers, sources say. The former Commanders and SF pass-catcher returns where it all began,” NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport wrote on his official X account. “From 2019-2024, Deebo Samuel became a star in SF with Kyle Shanahan’s offense. Now, after a year in Washington, he’s back.”
Samuel is the only wide receiver in NFL history with at least 20 receiving touchdowns and 20 rushing touchdowns.
ESPN put Samuel at No. 5 on its list of the NFL’s “Top Available Free Agents” just 1 month before the start of training camp.
“Samuel caught 72 passes and scored five touchdowns in his one season with the Commanders, with 63.7% of his receiving totals coming after the catch,” ESPN’s Matt Bowen wrote. “A power strider, he would benefit from a system that allows him to get loose on catch-and-run targets.”
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