2018 NFL Scouting Combine: Top 5 cornerbacks to watch

Joseph Naki

General manager John Lynch of the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MARCH 02: General manager John Lynch of the San Francisco 49ers answers questions from the media on Day 2 of the NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center on March 2, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

The San Francisco 49ers, led by general manager John Lynch, head into the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine hosted at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis hoping to observe key prospects, including cornerbacks, for the upcoming NFL Draft.

San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch and Vice President of Player Personnel, Adam Peters have serious work ahead of them as they cannot miss on their evaluation process. Every selection made in the 2018 NFL Draft has to be made with conviction and determination; they can’t afford missing the target.

When Jimmy Garoppolo took over as starting quarterback toward the end of the 2017 season, it seemed as if the entire team woke up from their deep sleep and started playing 49ers football.

What a treat to see a team respond to innate leadership.

Josh Jackson, CB, Iowa

Minkah Fitzpatrick would be the ultimate selection for the 49ers, but he won’t be there at No. 9 or No. 10, and Lynch won’t trade up to get him. More than likely, Fitzpatrick will play his first NFL snap as a Cleveland Brown come opening day.

At 6-foot-1, weighing a solid 190 pounds, Josh Jackson, CB, Iowa, would certainly fit Robert Saleh’s 4-3 defensive scheme.

In the NFC West, the 49ers face Jared Goff, Russell Wilson and a quarterback to be named later in Arizona. In order to win the west, the 49ers need to beat these QBs twice in a year.

Jackson can pair up with big receivers throughout the NFL without issue.

Having a breakout year for Iowa in 2017, Jackson logged in 48 tackles with an astounding eight interceptions, making a serious statement he deserves first-round consideration in the 2018 NFL Draft.

Should Jackson run a 4.5 40-yard dash, or better, at the combine, then he will be cooking with grease, probably not getting past selection No. 15.

Available at No. 15 means Jackson is definitely in striking distance for the 49ers.

Isaiah Oliver, CB, Colorado

I haven’t overlooked Denzel Ward as an option for the 49ers. Ward is 5-foot-10, and unless the Niners put him in the slot on every down then, in my opinion, he won’t be able to hang with the big receivers in the NFL.

Is Ward NFL ready? Yes. Can he play the game? Yes. Again, this is a height thing for me, and I don’t see Ward playing the boundary corner in Robert Saleh’s 4-3 scheme, where length and speed are the combinations for success.

Enter the 6-foot-1, 190-pound Isaiah Oliver, CB, out of Colorado.

Should Oliver run his 40-yard dash at 4.5, or better, at the combine, then he will almost certainly warrant a first-round selection.

In viewing his tape, the first thing that jumps off the screen is his ability to get long. Oliver’s athleticism and range makes open windows shut down, and in a heartbeat. His height is of no concern playing the boundary corner, and he fits Saleh’s defense like a glove.

Pairing Oliver with Witherspoon would bring the Buffs’ tandem back together again. A duo John Lynch may not pass up on, as cornerback is certainly a team need.

J.C. Jackson, CB, Maryland

Let me emphasize the importance of having a lock-down boundary corner in the NFL and for the 49ers defensive attack.

In the top half of the draft, the Niners do not need slot corners. No, San Francisco needs big, tall, rangy athletes able to matchup against wideouts like Dez Bryant, Alshon Jeffery, Odell Beckham Jr. and Julio Jones, to name a few big receivers in the league.

No offense to the 5-foot-10 guys, but I am looking for football players able to fit Robert Saleh’s scheme. Sorry, boys, the standard is set. It’s a 6-foot-1 or better guy that I want, and that’s it.

I’ve done a breakdown on J.C. Jackson and his skill level out of Maryland. Jackson’s stock is rising on big boards despite his off-the-field issues, and I see him posting a time of 4.4 in his 40-yard dash time.

Because teams are in dire need of corners, Jackson will probably come off the board by the time the third round begins.

I have coveted this kid for a while now, and I believe he is the real deal.

Jackson is my guy. I want him in scarlet and gold.

Kameron Kelly, CB, San Diego State

At 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds, Kameron Kelly would bring versatility to the 49ers defense should John Lynch reach out and select this kid. As his video proclaims, he is certainly NFL ready.

Able to move to safety, but very comfortable playing corner, Kelly would provide Saleh with multiple package looks, but also keeping his length on the boundary with his big body locking up the perimeter.

NFL.com describes Kelly:

"Long frame and expected to run well for his size… has a penchant for making plays on the ball. Has speed to range over the top as a safety."

Kelly won’t burn up the track in his 40-yard dash attempts. But a decent 4.6 time, or better, would be fair enough for teams to reach out to him in the fourth round.

Personally, I want to see his results in the broad jump and bench press, where both activities show burst and power. If Kelly’s numbers provide better-than-fair results, then Kelly becomes a viable target for John Lynch and the 49ers.

Tarvarus McFadden, CB, Florida State

At 6-foot-2 and 198 pounds of unmitigated ballhawking skills, Tarvarus McFadden should certainly be on John Lynch’s radar. The highly touted athlete will turn heads at the combine with his pure athletic skills on display for all to see.

NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah describes McFadden:

"McFadden has prototype size and length for the cornerback position. He’s a fluid athlete has plenty of deep speed to carry wide receivers down the field. McFadden stays in the hip pocket down the field and he can locate/play the ball very well. He has outstanding ball production. When he plays off coverage, he flashes an impressive closing burst to drive on the ball in front and produce big hits. He plays with effort to chase plays from the backside and I’ve been impressed with his overall instincts for the position."

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One cannot judge McFadden’s significant drop in interceptions from his sophomore year of eight steals to his junior year of zero picks. The way I see it, teams realized they should stop throwing in his direction.

I look forward in seeing McFadden compete in the speed drills and monitor his 40-yard dash time, as it may be significant in terms of his round selection.

Another to keep an eye on would actually be a labeled safety, who can also move to corner, his name, Siran Neal. The kid is mobile, hits like a ’52 Chevy and is versatile for teams in need of multiple-look packages.

I’ll have my eye on Neal at the combine, 49ers fans and administration should do the same.

Joseph Naki