49ers’ 2018 NFL Draft prediction: Niners grab CB Quenton Meeks in Round 3

The San Francisco 49ers need a cornerback in the 2018 NFL Draft. And while a Round 1 target isn’t out of the question, look for Stanford’s Quenton Meeks in the third round.

Despite inking veteran cornerback Richard Sherman this offseason, the San Francisco 49ers are still in need of a long-term corner at some point in the upcoming 2018 NFL Draft.

It’s not hard to find mock drafts out there pegging a cornerback to the Niners at No. 9 overall in Round 1. Top prospect names, like Ohio State’s Denzel Ward or Alabama’s Minkah Fitzpatrick, are certainly in the discussion for general manager John Lynch’s first pick on April 26.

But what if Lynch waits?

San Francisco 49ers

Well, that’s our prediction. At least right now, especially following second-year linebacker Reuben Foster’s off-field issues and subsequent charges from the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s office.

Instead of using the 49ers’ top pick on a corner, Lynch will grab his guy for the secondary in Round 3. And the name?

Stanford’s Quenton Meeks.

NFLDraftScout.com lists the 6-foot-2, 205-pound Meeks as a third- or fourth-round prospect. And there are plenty of reasons to assume Lynch and Co. follow a similar path they took a year ago with current Niners corner Ahkello Witherspoon.

Witherspoon, also a Round 3 grab, is a classic draft-and-develop story. Only his maturation process — from being inactive the first four games of 2017 to starting nine — went a lot quicker than most of us would have thought.

Meeks’ scouting report looks just as promising as Witherspoon’s did. If there are concerns with Meeks, the majority of them seem to reside with his physicality, particularly in press coverage. A bit of added bulk could help with that, though.

And there are other factors at play here.

One can’t overlook the Stanford connection. This surely played a role in Lynch’s discussions with Sherman, as the two share the same alma mater.

Speaking of Sherman, Meeks reportedly has some comparisons to the All-Pro cornerback.

“We have similar body types. All of our combine numbers – it’s kind of scary – but (they’re) almost identical,” Meeks said, via Chris Biderman of Niners Wire, at San Francisco’s local pro day.

“(Sherman) even told me that I remind him of himself. That was probably the biggest compliment I’ve gotten.”

Interesting.

As long as Sherman, who is recovering from an Achilles injury, is healthy to start 2017 — and paired with Witherspoon — the Niners aren’t going to be pressed into grabbing a plug-and-play cornerback right away. They can wait for the draft-and-develop route to take place.

Next: 3 best-value picks for the 49ers in the 2018 NFL Draft

If Meeks is on the board when the 49ers’ number is called in Round 3, don’t be shocked to see the Stanford product be the selection.