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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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Aug 20, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; San Francisco 49ers cornerback Rashard Robinson (33) prior to the game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 20, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; San Francisco 49ers cornerback Rashard Robinson (33) prior to the game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /

49ers Cornerback Incumbents for 2017

On-Roster Players: Tramaine Brock, Prince Charles Iworah, Dontae Johnson, Keith Reaser, Will Redmond, Rashard Robinson, JaCorey Shepherd, K’Waun Williams

With defensive back Jimmie Ward likely moving to safety this offseason, the 49ers are already going to be pressed to make some notable shifts on the cornerback depth chart.

One of last year’s bright spots was then-rookie Rashard Robinson — a fourth-round draftee, who wound up being quite a steal.

Pro Football Focus ranked Robinson as the league’s fifth-best rookie in advance of Week 7 last year. True, Robinson’s play fell off a bit as the season wore on, and he eventually finished with a below-average 61.8 overall grade on the year, per PFF. Still, the ceiling remains high.

The same can’t be said of cornerback Tramaine Brock though.

Even though Brock led San Francisco with 14 pass breakups and a position-leading 81.1 overall PFF grade in 2017, the 28-year-old veteran had more than a few occasions where bad coverage led to him being burned.

Brock relies more on over-the-top help, so he’s not exactly a fit in Robert Saleh’s Cover 3 scheme.

As for the rest? Well, free-agent pickup K’Waun Williams is perhaps the only other corner inspiring any confidence. And he’ll likely be relegated to slot coverage.