Niner Noise
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2018 NFL Draft: 5 sleeper picks for the 49ers in the later rounds

By Peter Panacy

PULLMAN, WA - OCTOBER 21: Phillip Lindsay #23 of the Colorado Buffaloes is tackled by Hercules Mata'afa #50 of the Washington State Cougars in the first half at Martin Stadium on October 21, 2017 in Pullman, Washington. (Photo by William Mancebo/Getty Images)
PULLMAN, WA - OCTOBER 21: Phillip Lindsay #23 of the Colorado Buffaloes is tackled by Hercules Mata'afa #50 of the Washington State Cougars in the first half at Martin Stadium on October 21, 2017 in Pullman, Washington. (Photo by William Mancebo/Getty Images) /
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SAN DIEGO, CA – OCTOBER 14: Alexander Mattison #22 of the Boise State Broncos is tackled by Kameron Kelly #7 of the San Diego State Aztecs during the 2nd half at SDCCU Stadium on October 14, 2017 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kent Horner/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CA – OCTOBER 14: Alexander Mattison #22 of the Boise State Broncos is tackled by Kameron Kelly #7 of the San Diego State Aztecs during the 2nd half at SDCCU Stadium on October 14, 2017 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kent Horner/Getty Images) /

No. 4: Defensive Back Kameron Kelly, San Diego State

College Statistics

Another player on Matt Miller’s list of sleepers is San Diego State defensive back Kameron Kelly.

And here’s what Miller had to say about this 6-foot-2, 200-pound prospect:

"With the build of a safety (6’2″, 200 lbs) and experience at every spot in the secondary, Kameron Kelly has the versatility to be a matchup player in NFL secondaries. Teams running the Seattle-style defense (Jacksonville, Atlanta, San Francisco) should be all over Kelly given his ability to play outside cornerback at 6’2″ and with the length to jam up receivers at the line of scrimmage."

The scheme fit is something to note, as the 49ers’ Cover 3 single-high scheme requires players to operate in plenty of one-on-one coverages.

His body type is adequate enough to jam receivers at the line of scrimmage, so we don’t have to worry about physicality. And he has the conversion speed adequate enough to double as a free safety if need be.

This fits San Francisco’s depth needs too, as the team could possibly be moving on from veteran safety Eric Reid (free agency) and might move fellow defensive back Jimmie Ward down to cornerback.

Or, if the Niners so choose, Kelly might be a nice addition to supply depth at corner behind presumed starter Ahkello Witherspoon.

I’ve seen Kelly ranked on draft boards between Rounds 3 and 5, so a late-round draft grade provides more than enough value if Kelly falls.