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The 49ers Should Select Cornerback Sidney Jones in the NFL Draft

By Jonah Burros

December 2, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Washington Huskies defensive back Sidney Jones (26) celebrates after the Pac-12 championship against the Colorado Buffaloes at Levi's Stadium. The Huskies defeated the Buffaloes 41-10. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
December 2, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Washington Huskies defensive back Sidney Jones (26) celebrates after the Pac-12 championship against the Colorado Buffaloes at Levi's Stadium. The Huskies defeated the Buffaloes 41-10. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 25, 2016; Pullman, WA, USA; Washington Huskies defensive back Sidney Jones (26) carries the the Apple Cup Trophy after a game against the Washington State Cougars after a game at Martin Stadium. The Huskies won 45-17. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 25, 2016; Pullman, WA, USA; Washington Huskies defensive back Sidney Jones (26) carries the the Apple Cup Trophy after a game against the Washington State Cougars after a game at Martin Stadium. The Huskies won 45-17. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports /

Investment Opportunities

Sidney Jones was, without a doubt, one of the best cover corners in all college football last year. His ability to blanket receivers, one on one, on an island was, far and away, superior to his peers while possessing a high football intelligence.

Jones has a 6-foot-0 frame but is considered light, at 186 pounds, with a decent 4.47 40 time at the NFL Scouting Combine.

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Considered a pure cover guy with a slight frame that could hinder him in run support, Jones fits well in the new scheme and is comparable to previously mentioned Rashard Robinson but better.

His shutdown coverage ability and ball skills placed him ahead of Ohio State CB prospect Marshon Lattimore, a heavier and more versatile defender on many teams’ draft boards. Without the injury to Jones, Lattimore could be looking at a lower draft grade come April 27.

Like most top-tier corners, Jones’ stats over the past two years are misleading, due to the fact opposing quarterbacks avoided throwing his way because he had his man covered most of the time.

The news on his surgery was good, stating that he could be on the field in as little as six months and possibly running in four.

There is always concerns with an injury like his that he will not have the same speed as before. But when considering the upside of his skills it’s a worthwhile gamble.

The ability to pick up a top-10 player in the second or third round, and allow him to sit and rehab for a year, is a luxury that few teams other than the Niners can afford. The new regime has been given long contracts and the leeway to develop the team over the next few years.

There are some sensitive areas with drafting injured players for value because of former GM Trent Baalke’s tendency to do so and not have them work out. But this could be very different if the medical is right on this prospect.

Jones availability in the second, or even third to fourth, round is very intriguing for a team that has all the draft capital and job security that San Francisco has. With the 49ers stating that the second overall draft pick is available to teams looking to move up in a trade, there could be multiple second- and third-round picks at the disposal.

The Niners have two picks in the fourth, fifth and sixth rounds to trade up as well, giving plenty of options to jump up and grab Jones. These, together with the No. 34 pick, seem like a very doable scenario.

If the 49ers were to pick him on day two, then the Niners would also need to acquire a stop-gap option on day three to play this year. This would give San Francisco viability on the bench in 2018 and fill out an impressive secondary by year three.

Who could these stop-gap prospects be?