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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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May 8, 2014; New York, NY, USA; A general view of the stage and podium before the start of the 2014 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
May 8, 2014; New York, NY, USA; A general view of the stage and podium before the start of the 2014 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /

Day Three Cornerback Prospects

I am going to highlight four prospects that get my attention, if they are indeed available on day three.

One or two of them could be taken off the board in the third round on day two, but they are generally considered day-three prospects.

Rasul Douglas

My personal favorite out of this group is this West Virginia Mountaineer cornerback. A 6-foot-2, 209 pound defensive back, who only has one solid year of tape to look at from his senior year, but he played lights out and was very impressive.

You can see some of his highlights here:

He was offered positions at other schools like Florida State but wanted to stay close to home when transferring from Nassau Community College in 2014, after a junior college All-American status in 2013.

Rasul Douglas was tied for first in the nation last year, with eight interceptions, while stacking up 70 tackles and eight passes broken up.

A little slower, with a 40-yard-dash time of 4.59, but has a great frame, ball skills and the ability to jump routes. He needs a lot of coaching but loves to hit and has great tackle skills, a good developmental player projected in rounds 3-5.

Howard Wilson

Howard Wilson is another interesting corner out of Houston, although he is coming out very early, after his sophomore year, and would probably be considered to be a day one prospect if he had stayed in college longer.

A 6-foot-1, 184 pound defensive back who racked up five interceptions, 47 tackles and 10 passes broken up for a very good Houston team.

Wilson has a knack for going for the ball and is another good tackler. He had an ACL injury in 2015, so his tape is limited to this last year. But 2016 looked impressive, and with some good coaching, he could prove to be troublesome for opposing QBs.

Shaquil Griffin

Shaquil Griffin proved to be an excellent press-man corner out of the University of Central Florida over the last three years. A 6-foot-0, 194-pound aggressive defender that loves to hit and knock balls loose.

He is strong in run support and totaled four interceptions, 50 tackles and 15 passes broken up in 2016. Showing a 4.38 40 time at the combine, Griffin proved he has more speed than he showed last year on the field.

Another very raw prospect who needs coaching but could develop.

Brendan Langley

Brendan Langley has multiple values in his game. He’s a 6-foot-0, 201-pound cornerback out of Lamar University who transferred from Georgia to get more playing time.

Langley has good punt return skills, returning two for touchdowns, and shows the ability to stay with wide receivers through their routes. Langley racked up six picks, 43 tackles and seven passes broken up in 2016.

He shows good hands in the first five yards but has sporadic footwork and is very much in need to be coached up at the next level.

Any of these guys could prove to be a steal on day three and would mix in well with San Francisco’s current talent while Sidney Jones rehabs.