Niner Noise
FanSided

Redrafting the 49ers’ questionable 2014 NFL Draft

By Peter Panacy

Commissioner Roger Goodell names a pick by the San Francisco 49ers during the 2016 NFL Draft (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images)
Commissioner Roger Goodell names a pick by the San Francisco 49ers during the 2016 NFL Draft (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images) /
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CINCINNATI, OH – JANUARY 09: Ross Cockrell #31 of the Pittsburgh Steelers recovers a fumble by Jeremy Hill #32 of the Cincinnati Bengals (not pictured) in the fourth quarter during the AFC Wild Card Playoff game at Paul Brown Stadium on January 9, 2016 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH – JANUARY 09: Ross Cockrell #31 of the Pittsburgh Steelers recovers a fumble by Jeremy Hill #32 of the Cincinnati Bengals (not pictured) in the fourth quarter during the AFC Wild Card Playoff game at Paul Brown Stadium on January 9, 2016 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

Round 4, Pick No. 106: Cornerback Ross Cockrell

Original Pick: Wide Receiver Bruce Ellington

Finally, Trent Baalke gets to pick his favorite position and on his favorite side of the ball.

For those who don’t remember, Baalke traded down from No. 94 overall to this spot, picking up a sixth-round pick in the process.

That trade still happens. But instead of the 49ers grabbing former South Carolina slot receiver Bruce Ellington, the Niners choose to tab former Duke defensive back Ross Cockrell.

Cockrell ended up going to the Buffalo Bills at No. 109 overall but was quickly phased out, appearing in only seven games his rookie season. But the Pittsburgh Steelers, whose secondary hasn’t been good since safety Troy Polamalu left, have managed to get something out of the 6-foot-0 Cockrell.

Cockrell hasn’t been much of a ballhawk his two seasons in Pittsburgh, logging just two interceptions over two seasons. But he has managed to get in the way of receivers, defending a total of 25 passes between 2015 and 2016.

And Pro Football Focus handed him a 79.6 overall grade last year. Not bad, especially considering he was graded higher than any defensive back on San Francisco’s roster last season.

But if oft-injured, underperforming receivers are your thing, Ellington’s your guy.