2017 NFL Draft: San Francisco 49ers First Round Big Board

No. 17-21

Marlon Humphrey

Much like White, Humphrey excels in reading the game, and that will make him a dangerous proposition for opposing offenses given his 6’0″ size, and speed that enables to turn and run with wideouts and recover quickly when beaten.

Humphrey may be the best run defending corner in the draft, he attacks downhill and delivers vicious hits to running backs and blockers who dare to try set up screens. The 49ers could use some of that aggression on their defense.

Gareon Conley

There has been talk of Gareon Conley being the first corner off the board and, while there is certainly appeal in a 6’0″ player with 4.4 speed with ball skills and anticipation that helped him record four interceptions in 2016, the hype surrounding seems a little rich.

While he has no problem staying with receivers down the field and shows patience in staying square in press coverage, Conley frequently shows clunkiness in his hip turn and will allow himself to be beaten to the inside by wideouts.

Conley is not as complete of a cornerback as Lattimore is, but the 49ers certainly should be in the market for him in a potential scenario where they trade down.

Jordan Willis

He doesn’t bend but it really doesn’t matter because when you have Jordan Willis’ speed and power you are set up to succeed in the NFL.

With rip, swim and spin moves at his disposal, Willis has numerous ways to get to the quarterback and, if the 49ers find themselves in the mid-to-late section of the first, it would not be a reach to take a player with 31.5 tackles for loss and 19.5 sacks in his final two collegiate seasons.

Christian McCaffrey

One of the more ludicrous stories of draft season has been the recently reported suggestion that some teams prefer Christian McCaffrey as a full-time receiver rather than running back.

Let’s put this to bed right now. McCaffrey is excellent as a pass-catcher out of the backfield, but he is a running back. He shows patience, burst, elite short-area quickness and enough speed to take it the distance.

Also able to hold up in pass protection, McCaffrey is a three-down back but could form a fine partnership with Carlos Hyde in an NFL where having a good one-two punch is a significant advantage.

Jonathan Allen

Jonathan Allen suffers from the same problem as Solomon Thomas in that it’s tough to know where he will fit on a prospective 49ers defensive front.

The logical answer is inside at the 3-tech spot but, as alluded to earlier, that position seems earmarked for Buckner.

Still, Allen boasts an exciting combination of quickness and power and is better off the edge than you would expect. It’s unlikely, but don’t completely rule out the 49ers considering him.