49ers rookie Jacob Cowing models his play after NFC West rival

The comparison makes sense. Neither Cowing nor Lockett fits the mold of the prototypical NFL wideout. Lockett stands at 5-10 but forged an impressive career, amassing over 1,000 receiving yards in four of the past five seasons while adding All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors to his resume.

Cowing, standing just over 5-8, hopes to follow a similar career path. However, Lockett isn't the sole NFL receiver Cowing looks up to. He's studied several others in his quest to improve his game.

Cowing added, "And then also within this past year, [Texans WR] Tank Dell and [Ravens WR] Zay Flowers, very good receivers, had a lot of good production their last year. So I look up to those guys and try to add to my game."

49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan has a reputation for being tough on his young wide receivers. Having briefly played the position himself and coaching receivers early in his NFL career, Shanahan sets high expectations for his wideouts. Fortunately, Cowing is accustomed to such demanding coaching.

"Oh, I think I'm going to fit in great," Cowing commented. "Coming from the organization with Coach Fisch [Washington head coach Jedd Fisch] at Arizona, he's had a good NFL background, so he demanded a lot of me too. I like a challenge too so whatever's thrown out my way I like to go and get it and achieve it and do it to the best of my ability."