But rookie Jordan Watkins, a fourth-round draft pick, is similarly fast and should compete directly with Cowing for the “burner” role in Shanahan’s offense. Watkins also caught several passes in the spring. Like Cowing, he’ll have to prove he can defeat the challenge of physical coverage once contact is legal during training camp.
That’s where the 49ers aren’t in the least bit worried about Robinson, a 30-year-old veteran who’s coming off his most productive season — a 505-yard campaign for the Rams. Lynch is certain they’ll have a physically capable, stabilizing weapon when Robinson is available to suit up for the 49ers. Robinson played a solid chunk of 2024 at the “X” spot for the Rams, a huge selling point for a 49ers team looking to find a temporary fill in for Aiyuk at a position that demands real run-blocking prowess.
“You play against someone for a long time, but then in person, you’re like, ‘Man, this guy’s bigger than I thought,’” Lynch said of the 6-1, 203-pound Robinson. “He kind of looks like a defensive end out there. But he fits what we do really well.”
Still, adding raw speed figures to be of paramount importance for the 49ers. In 2024, they finished dead last — No. 32 — of all teams in average separation at the time of catch or incompletion, per NFL Next Gen Stats.