Niner Noise
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49ers NFL Draft needs: 2018 cornerback big board

By Jay Marsdale

AUSTIN, TX - SEPTEMBER 09: Brandon Jones #19 of the Texas Longhorns congratulates Holton Hill #5 after a touchdown in the third quarter against the San Jose State Spartans at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
AUSTIN, TX - SEPTEMBER 09: Brandon Jones #19 of the Texas Longhorns congratulates Holton Hill #5 after a touchdown in the third quarter against the San Jose State Spartans at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /
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BOULDER, CO – NOVEMBER 3: Defensive back Isaiah Oliver #26 of the Colorado Buffaloes returns a punt for yardage against the UCLA Bruins at Folsom Field on November 3, 2016 in Boulder, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
BOULDER, CO – NOVEMBER 3: Defensive back Isaiah Oliver #26 of the Colorado Buffaloes returns a punt for yardage against the UCLA Bruins at Folsom Field on November 3, 2016 in Boulder, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /

No. 4: Isaiah Oliver (COL)

There are a ton of talent players in this draft that played in non-power conferences and at smaller schools. That is exactly where Isaiah Oliver fits into this draft class. Oliver is a pure cover corner with great skills before even entering the NFL.

Colorado has built a very strong program recently,and they are getting more NFL-level talent each year. Oliver is definitely ready to cover at the NFL level. He has been all over receiver for the past three seasons at Colorado.

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Oliver has deflected 19 passes and intercepted another three passes over just his last two seasons. Where he is prone to struggle is with his tackling. Oliver had only 26 tackles last year and that will worry many teams including the 49ers.

Most of the other corners in this draft have closer to 50 tackles.

What most people are overlooking when criticizing Oliver over his lack of tackles is his ability to knock the ball down. Many other corners are getting those tackles after their man has just caught a quick pass for a completion. I believe that due to Oliver’s ability to get into passing lanes, he is not allowing those quick completions and is therefore not getting those tackles. That should not hinder the way teams view him, but for some it will.

The 49ers need to study the tape on how well Oliver can play man coverage, which he was asked to do a lot at Colorado. Are his tackling numbers due to a lack of effort or just a lack of opportunity? A man coverage corner is something the 49ers are in desperate need of, and Oliver could be a perfect fit for just a second- or third-round pick.