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2016 Senior Bowl: 5 49ers’ Prospect Targets Who Impressed During the Game

By Jerod Brown

Jan 30, 2016; Mobile, AL, USA; The North squad huddles before the Senior Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 30, 2016; Mobile, AL, USA; The North squad huddles before the Senior Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 28, 2016; Mobile, AL, USA; South squad defensive back Harlan Miller of SE Louisiana (1) breaks up a pass intended for wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell of Georgia (86) during Senior Bowl practice at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Glenn Andrews-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 28, 2016; Mobile, AL, USA; South squad defensive back Harlan Miller of SE Louisiana (1) breaks up a pass intended for wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell of Georgia (86) during Senior Bowl practice at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Glenn Andrews-USA TODAY Sports /

Harlan Miller-Cornerback-Southeastern Louisiana

Harlan Miller was another impressive performer from the game and practice week at the Senior Bowl. Miller isn’t particularly big at just six feet and 182 pounds but he routinely showed a willingness to body receivers and battle against larger competition.

In a game with little time to prepare as a whole defensive unit, each guy needed to be responsible for his own success. Miller did just that. Although he is thin, his long arms helped him get hands on receivers in 1-on-1 drills and the same technique applied in the game.

Lance Zierlein of NFL.com has an excellent scouting report on Miller as fans get more familiar with the small-school cornerback. The traits Zierlein highlights were on full display in Mobile this weekend.

Matt Miller saw what everyone else saw from the Southeastern Louisiana cornerback throughout the game. Miller continually flashed as a player that wanted to get involved in both pass and run support.

When asked if any players surprised him, Charles Davis, an NFL analyst for FOX, mentioned Miller’s name.

The 49ers already have an abundance of young corners on their roster but Miller could be a player they look to target on the third day. He’ll come as a project and will need time to bulk up his frame in an NFL weight room but he already has ideal height and length.

We’ve seen over recent drafts that Baalke has a habit of taking obscure defensive backs late and hoping they hit on one. Miller could be another example of Baalke’s strategy at play. In a passing league, it’s never a bad idea to have plenty of young and aggressive cornerbacks.

Miller began his draft process with an impressive showing in Mobile. The 49ers and other teams are likely getting more familiar with the corner after recognizing him as a standout this week.

Next: Inside Linebacker Depth