For the previous two seasons, the 49ers have loved the utility of veteran extensive receiver Ray-Ray McCloud. Whereas solely ever offering minimal use on offense with 26 catches for 378 yards and one landing as a receiver in San Francisco, McCloud has supplied consistency as a return man. With McCloud now on the opposite facet of the nation as a Falcon, the 49ers might be trying to fill that returner position in 2024.
For that, San Francisco will seemingly look to 2 members of its rookie class. First-round extensive receiver Ricky Pearsall and fourth-round wideout Jacob Cowing each have gotten early appears as returners.
An skilled punt returner for the Gators throughout his two seasons in Gainesville, Pearsall has the requisite expertise to step into the position. As a fifth-year senior, he averaged 11.5 yards per return. His solely kickoff return, although, got here in his true freshman season with the Solar Devils in 2019. Pearsall’s attract throughout the draft course of was his capacity to play all around the offense and on particular groups. Per ESPN’s Nick Wagoner, San Francisco has labored him out all around the subject with the intention that he’ll be capable of step in anyplace in case of damage.
Cowing had about the identical variety of returns as Pearsall in school throughout his two seasons at Arizona however failed to supply the identical outcomes. Nonetheless, Matt Barrows of The Athletic pegs him because the likelier candidate for a return job. Cowing is quicker than McCloud was and a bit greater, as nicely. His skillset with screens and finish arounds would make him a perfect damage substitute for Deebo Samuel, as nicely.
The staff nonetheless has second-year receiver Ronnie Bell, who was second on the staff with 10 punt returns final 12 months, and Samuel returned solely 4 fewer kickoffs than McCloud in 2023. Nonetheless, Pearsall and Cowing could supply an even bigger upside than Bell whereas permitting Samuel to stay on the sideline throughout particular groups.
