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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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Dec 31, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Marlon Humphrey (26) during warm-ups before the 2016 CFP Semifinal against the Washington Huskies at the Georgia Dome. Alabama defeated Washington 24-7. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Marlon Humphrey (26) during warm-ups before the 2016 CFP Semifinal against the Washington Huskies at the Georgia Dome. Alabama defeated Washington 24-7. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 3: Marlon Humphrey, Alabama

We can’t have a Top-10 cornerback board, without including at least one Alabama defensive back. This year’s winner happens to Marlon Humphrey, the savvy, veteran corner who played under Nick Saban’s tutelage.

Humphrey has the physical traits, standing tall at 6-foot-0, at 197 pounds, with 32-inch arms. This athleticism helps him in plays where’s already been beat by the receiver.

Lance Zierlein at NFL.com adds that he’s an extremely physical cornerback, that’s looking to steal your lunch money on every play. This aggressiveness led to three forced fumbles this past season for the Crimson Tide.

His press coverage doesn’t match up this his other skills, which is worrisome for teams that primarily depend on it. His deep-ball coverage has often been in doubt, so teams could just go bombs away against Humphrey in coverage.

Pro Football Focus added that Humphrey graded out well in coverage and in run support. It’s important for corners to possess both of these attributes and Humphrey fits the bill.

Look for his name to be called in the first round as he’s one of the premier corners in this draft.