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Evaluating Whether Marshon Lattimore is Worth The 49ers No. 2 Pick

By Nicholas McGee

December 31, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes safety Malik Hooker (24) celebrates with cornerback Marshon Lattimore (2) after intercepting pass against the Clemson Tigers during the first half of the the 2016 CFP semifinal at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
December 31, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes safety Malik Hooker (24) celebrates with cornerback Marshon Lattimore (2) after intercepting pass against the Clemson Tigers during the first half of the the 2016 CFP semifinal at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /
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Marshon Lattimore was recently mocked to the 49ers with their No. 2 pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, here we evaluate if he is worthy of that selection.

The 49ers have invested heavily in the secondary in recent times, which is why it was something of a surprise to see Marshon Lattimore’s name connected to the team in a leading draft expert’s latest mock.

NFL Media’s Daniel Jeremiah has the 49ers taking Lattimore with the No. 2 overall pick, and there are a number of reasons why that selection would raise eyebrows among fans.

Indeed, the 49ers drafted Jimmie Ward — who is now entrenched as a starter — with the first pick in 2014 and selected three other corners, two of whom  — Dontae Johnson and Keith Reaser — remain on the roster.

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Will Redmond and Rashard Robinson were picked in 2016, with the latter turning heads with his impressive play last year, and this young position group — headed by veteran Tramaine Brock — was one of the better ones on a talent-starved team.

There is some degree of sense to picking Lattimore, though, his addition as a starter on the outside could free up Ward to move back to his original college position of safety, an area where the Niners are looking less secure due to the up-and-down play of Eric Reid and the ageing Antoine Bethea.

But does Lattimore have the talent to be considered worthy of the No. 2 pick in the draft? In his mock Jeremiah said Lattimore carries more value than any Quarterback in the class and he is viewed by many as the best pure cover corner in the draft.

And there is plenty on tape to back up those claims.

Breaking Down the Film

For a player with just 16 games of experience at the collegiate level, Lattimore does the fundamentals extremely well. He keeps himself square when playing in press coverage and does not rush to open his hips.

However, when he needs to open his hips Lattimore does so quickly and with startling efficiency. Yet it is the way in which he stays in step with receivers down the field that will stand out to talent evaluators.

Lattimore has excellent long speed and regularly runs the route better than his opposing receiver. But, rather than just putting himself in position to make the play, Lattimore consistently looks to finish on the ball.

His speed, ball skills and desire to finish are all on display on this play against Nebraska, with Lattimore trailing the receiver by just a couple of steps before showing off his athleticism to make a diving pass deflection:

The speed and short-area quickness Lattimore possesses allows him to break on the ball in a flash, and he did just that against Oklahoma, demonstrating hugely impressive burst to eat up the ground the receiver had on him to record a stunning interception:

That pick was one of four Lattimore recorded to go nine with pass deflections as a starter in 2016 and his determination to make plays on the ball resulted in a takeaway against Nebraska even though he was unable to come up with the pick.

Here Lattimore again leaves his feet to make contact with the ball, tipping it up in the air for a teammate to record the interception:

Lattimore brings that same desire to the run game, which – in a league where corners who can tackle are becoming increasingly valuable – should do his hopes of being drafted early the power of good.

He demonstrates impressive commitment to defending the run and is not afraid to hit people.

On this play in the rivalry game with Michigan Lattimore quickly attacks downhill and delivers a shot on the running back to bring him down for a loss:

His speed and physical nature also helped Ohio State avoid giving up a big play in their overtime win over Wisconsin.

Recognizing the reverse, Lattimore runs cross-field and, once the receiver gets to the perimeter, shifts through the gears and takes the correct angle to the football, finishing the play by knocking the ball-carrier out of bounds before he can rip off a huge gain:

Corners with the athleticism of Lattimore who can take the ball away and prevent big plays in the run game naturally have value in the NFL, but fine-tuning to his game is needed if he is to enjoy the success he has experienced at the collegiate level in the pros.

While his technique in press is generally sound, Lattimore would be well served by taking a more physical approach and jamming receivers at the line on a more consistent basis.

He has also been fooled off the line by clever fakes from opposing receivers. Michigan’s Amara Darboh was one such wideout to make Lattimore look foolish as he successfully sold a quick fake to the outside, with the release he gained as a result enabling him to make a game-tying touchdown catch:

There will be questions asked of Lattimore’s durability due to a succession of hamstring injuries, and some may have reservations over using a top-five pick on a player with such limited experience.

Yet, in the case of the 49ers, the selection would make a lot of sense.

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The 49ers have a promising corner with length in the form of Robinson and a speedier one in Reaser.

Yet Lattimore has considerably more to his game than Reaser and, were they to take him, it would be the first time in years that the Niners have had a corner as athletically gifted as Lattimore with the ability to take the ball away and have an impact on the run.

There is no position the 49ers can afford to ignore this offseason and, with his talent and level of production, Lattimore is worthy of the No. 2 pick.

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Add in the possibility of his addition enabling Ward to move to safety and this is a selection that, if it comes to pass, 49ers fans should greet with excitement rather than bemusement.