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2017 NFL Draft: San Francisco 49ers’ Cornerback Big Board

By Akash Anavarathan

Apr 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; A general view of football fans in the stands during the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at Auditorium Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Anderson-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; A general view of football fans in the stands during the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at Auditorium Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Anderson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 26, 2016; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Gareon Conley (8) gets the crowd into the game during the second quarter against the Michigan Wolverines at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State won 30-27. Mandatory Credit: Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 26, 2016; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Gareon Conley (8) gets the crowd into the game during the second quarter against the Michigan Wolverines at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State won 30-27. Mandatory Credit: Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 2: Gareon Conley, OSU

Here comes the first of two Ohio State cornerbacks, or should I just call it DBU (Defensive Back University).

Gareon Conley comes in at No. 2 on this list, grading out with similar size to Marlon Humphrey of Alabama. His coverage skills are really good, usually using inside leverage to push receivers against the boundary, per Lance Zierlein of NFL.com. 

Conley is primarily a press corner who has the versatility to be utilized at different cornerback positions. His lack of run support this past season will likely keep him from being the No. 1 overall spot on this big board.

The ex-Buckeye cornerback only allowed 14 catches for 159 yards in 2016. Conley will need to improve his run support and tackling in order to be drafted in the top-15.

Not helping his case is also a rape investigation that’s allegedly ongoing on Conley. This might scare teams into dropping him lower on this list.

Regardless, his one year of production and on-field talent will likely have teams salivating over him.