San Francisco 49ers: Predicting the secondary depth chart after 2018 NFL Draft
By Peter Panacy
Boundary Cornerback
Left Cornerback: Richard Sherman
Right Cornerback: Ahkello Witherspoon
Backups: Tarvarius Moore, Tarvarus McFadden
On paper, it looks as if the 49ers have their starting cornerback tandem set with Richard Sherman and Ahkello Witherspoon assuming the Nos. 1 and 2 spots outside.
But Sherman, who just turned 30 years old, is coming off a serious Achilles injury last year. He’ll likely be ready to go by Week 1, but there’s going to be a need for adequate depth and an eventual long-term replacement.
So it only makes sense the Niners drafted defensive back Tarvarius Moore out of Southern Miss in Round 3.
Moore primarily played safety in college. But with a 6-foot-2 frame, long arms and sub-4.40 40-time speed, it’s no surprise San Francisco is looking at him as a possible cornerback:
John Lynch says 49ers know Tarvarius Moore can play safety but the team is curious about him playing cornerback. He has 33-inch arms.
— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) April 28, 2018
He’ll make the roster and likely serves as a No. 4 defensive back, supplying depth to both boundary corner and the safety position.
Yet one of the more intriguing pickups, Florida State’s Tarvarus McFadden, happened after the draft. McFadden, a UDFA grab, should have been drafted. At 6-foot-2 and 204 pounds, he also embodies the prototypical outside corner ideal for coordinator Robert Saleh’s defense.
It would be something of a shock if McFadden doesn’t crack the 53-man roster this season.