Niner Noise
FanSided

Breaking Down 49ers’ Top NFL Draft Needs by Value

By Bryan Knowles

Apr 30, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; A general view of the podium on stage before the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 30, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; A general view of the podium on stage before the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 7
Next
Oct 24, 2015; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes defensive back Artie Burns (1) looks on during the second half against the Clemson Tigers at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 24, 2015; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes defensive back Artie Burns (1) looks on during the second half against the Clemson Tigers at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Cornerback

Average pick: Artie Burns, Miami (FL) (Value: Pick 64)
Median pick: Briean Boddy-Calhoun, Minnesota (Value: Pick 98)
49ers “Hot Spot” Picks: 37, 68, 105, 133

Tramaine Brock is a fine cornerback, but he doesn’t send shut-down fear into the hearts of opposing quarterbacks. The 49ers have spent a number of recent picks on cornerbacks and have gotten some interesting prospects, but they could really use someone to bump everyone down a peg on the depth chart, where they’d be a bit more comfortable.

The distribution of cornerbacks in this year’s draft is remarkably similar to that of edge rushers, with 65 percent of the 26 “draftable” cornerbacks falling around the 49ers’ second-through-fourth-round picks. Because edge rusher is a more pressing need than cornerback, they ideally would take a rusher first, but from a value standpoint, both are viable at about the same points.

If Eli Apple or Mackensie Alexander fall, their value might be too much to pass up with the team’s second-round pick; otherwise, William Jackson or Kendall Fuller would be valuable picks for someone looking for a cornerback in the second round.

The average cornerback, in terms of weighted value, falls right around the 49ers’ third-round pick, number 68 overall. In addition to Artie Burns, Will Redmond, Eric Murray and the fantastically named Xavien Howard all fall right into this range.

If you’re just looking for more depth, though, the fourth round is your place. ESPN lists nine cornerbacks from their 85th-overall player (Alabama’s Cyrus Jones) to their 138th-overall player (North Carolina Central’s Ryan Smith). At least half should fall to the 49ers’ pick at 105, and there could even be one or two still available at their compensatory selection at pick 133. This is where the 49ers should grab a cornerback; the sheer number of players around here means one is liable to fall, giving the team a better value selection.

Next: Wide Open Spaces