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49ers 2017 NFL Draft Positional Preview: Cornerback

By Peter Panacy

Nov 1, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; San Francisco 49ers cornerback Tramaine Brock (26) breaks up a pass intended for St. Louis Rams wide receiver Kenny Britt (18) during the first half at the Edward Jones Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 1, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; San Francisco 49ers cornerback Tramaine Brock (26) breaks up a pass intended for St. Louis Rams wide receiver Kenny Britt (18) during the first half at the Edward Jones Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 4, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; San Francisco 49ers cornerback Rashard Robinson (33) forces an incomplete pass while Chicago Bears defensive back Brandon Boykin (25) attempts to make the catch during the first quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 4, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; San Francisco 49ers cornerback Rashard Robinson (33) forces an incomplete pass while Chicago Bears defensive back Brandon Boykin (25) attempts to make the catch during the first quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports /

Niner Noise continues our San Francisco 49ers’ position-by-position breakdown in advance of the 2017 NFL Draft. In this slideshow, we look at the cornerback position and determine the possible changes April’s draft may bring.

Former San Francisco 49ers general manager Trent Baalke might have brought in a lot of cornerbacks in recent seasons.

Unfortunately, very few of them have stuck.

Outside of Jimmie Ward and Rashard Robinson, the Niners don’t exactly boast any promising young players at this crucial position.

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And it’s going to be an even more important position in defensive coordinator Robert Saleh’s scheme.

Saleh is going to emulate the Seattle Seahawks’ 4-3 under defense this season, which often places eight defenders up in the box. That means a lot of one-on-one coverage for defensive backs.

The 49ers don’t exactly have anyone on their roster capable of “playing on an island.”

As the 2017 NFL Draft nears this April, one should expect general manager John Lynch to take advantage of a very deep cornerback class. It wouldn’t be a shock to see Lynch grab two or three corners at various stages of the draft.

Perhaps even with San Francisco’s first-round pick, No. 2 overall.

But to determine the need, let’s first look at what the Niners already have on their roster.