5 Hidden Gems in the NFL Draft the 49ers Should Consider

Feb 9, 2017; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch during a press conference at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 9, 2017; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch during a press conference at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 6
Next
Sep 19, 2015; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes defensive back Corn Elder (29) is unable to make a catch intended for Nebraska Cornhuskers tight end Cethan Carter (11) during the second half at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 19, 2015; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes defensive back Corn Elder (29) is unable to make a catch intended for Nebraska Cornhuskers tight end Cethan Carter (11) during the second half at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 2: Cornerback Corn Elder

Although the San Francisco 49ers’ added CB K’Waun Williams this past week, the possibility of cornerback depth is always welcome. Miami CB Corn Elder fits the mold as an under-sized slot corner who could excel in the NFL.

Evaluating Elder’s Numbers

Elder, standing at 5-foot-11, is probably too small to be playing outside corner in the NFL, but definitely plays bigger than his size. He also doesn’t possess eye-popping interception totals, but he’s a sure-handed tackler and slot blitzer.

Tackles Def Int Fumbles
Year School Conf Class Pos G Solo Ast Tot Loss Sk Int Yds Avg TD PD FR Yds TD FF
*2013 Miami (FL) ACC FR DB 6 6 1 7 0.0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0
*2014 Miami (FL) ACC SO DB 12 25 9 34 3.0 1.0 0 0 0 4 3 0
*2015 Miami (FL) ACC JR DB 12 31 10 41 4.0 2.0 2 47 23.5 0 11 1 0
2016 Miami (FL) ACC SR DB 13 55 21 76 4.5 3.0 1 2 2.0 0 12 1 1
Career Miami (FL) 117 41 158 11.5 6.0 3 49 16.3 0 27 5 1

Provided by CFB at Sports Reference: View Original Table
Generated 2/23/2017.

As it can be seen, Elder improved in each of his four seasons at Miami, securing 76 tackles and 12 passes defended in his senior season. He was also a blitzer from the slot at Miami, coming up with three sacks as well.

Evaluating Elder’s Tape

Taken from DraftBreakdown.com, Elder shows off his full versatility in a game against Florida State this past season.

In this first clip below, Elder is not afraid to get in and tackle running backs. It’s important in the NFL for cornerbacks to be solid in run defense as well, and Elder checks the box here:

Next, in zone coverage, Elder reads the quarterback’s eyes and makes an athletic defensive play to tip the ball away.

He has the speed to close out on the receiver and break up the pass:

In another game against North Carolina, taken from DraftBreakdown.com, Elder shows his coverage on a bigger wide receiver.

He’s able to front the UNC WR in the end zone and cause the incompletion:

In the next clip below, he reads the play before it even happens and blows it up in the backfield.

Although undersized, he utilizes solid instincts and tackling ability instead:

Scouts’ Take on Elder

According to Dane Brugler from CBS Sports, Elder lacks the length that’s necessary to succeed in the NFL, but makes up for it in other phases of his game. Brugler also adds that he’s a sound tackler and has all the tools to be a slot corner in the NFL.

From the few games I’ve seen, I can see that he’s probably not going to be a ballhawk in the NFL. Elder will be a solid slot corner, who will provide good run support and be a surefire tackler when on the field.

Final Thoughts

Although the 49ers have a lot of bodies in their secondary, they seem to try and keep switching around who plays the slot cornerback role. CB K’Waun WIlliams is expected to compete for the job.

Adding CB Corn Elder from Miami could provide additional depth. With his toughness, athleticism and college production, he would be a fantastic get for the 49ers on day three.