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49ers’ 2018 offseason positional preview: Cornerback

By Florito Maniego

SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 26: Ahkello Witherspoon #23 of the San Francisco 49ers breaks up the pass to Tyler Lockett #16 of the Seattle Seahawks during their NFL football game at Levis Stadium on November 26, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 26: Ahkello Witherspoon #23 of the San Francisco 49ers breaks up the pass to Tyler Lockett #16 of the Seattle Seahawks during their NFL football game at Levis Stadium on November 26, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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NEW ORLEANS, LA – DECEMBER 17: Tarvarius Moore #18 of the Southern Miss Golden Eagles intercepts the ball over Michael Jacquet #19 of the Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin Cajuns during the first half of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on December 17, 2016 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA – DECEMBER 17: Tarvarius Moore #18 of the Southern Miss Golden Eagles intercepts the ball over Michael Jacquet #19 of the Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin Cajuns during the first half of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on December 17, 2016 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

49ers Rookie Cornerback Spotlight

San Francisco brought in several rookie cornerbacks this year to strengthen their secondary. Particularly, the 49ers drafted defensive backs Tarvarius Moore and D.J. Reed in the third and fifth rounds, respectively, of the 2018 NFL Draft.

Despite playing predominantly as a safety in college, Moore will transition into the cornerback position as a pro. The Niners have cited how rare of a talent Moore is and how he can even compete for a starting role as a rookie.

The 6-foot-2, 190-pound Moore had an impressive outing in Southern Miss last year with three interceptions and 10 pass deflections. Adding along 87 total tackles and one forced fumble, Moore has proven his instincts just as well:

Tarvarius Moore Defense & Fumbles Table
Tackles Def Int Fumbles
Year School Conf Class Pos G Solo Ast Tot Loss Sk Int Yds Avg TD PD FR Yds TD FF
*2016 Southern Mississippi CUSA JR DB 9 11 6 17 0.0 0.0 2 0 0.0 0 2 0 0
*2017 Southern Mississippi CUSA SR DB 13 59 28 87 3.0 0.0 3 54 18.0 0 10 1 1
Career Southern Mississippi 70 34 104 3.0 0.0 5 54 10.8 0 12 1 1

Provided by CFB at Sports Reference: View Original Table
Generated 5/30/2018.

John Lynch has praised Moore’s incredible speed, especially after running the 40-yard dash in 4.32 seconds at the combine. Moore also possesses the size and length that make him an ideal fit to defensive coordinator Robert Saleh’s system.

Along with Moore, the 49ers brought in Reed to compete for a roster spot at cornerback. The 5-foot-9 and 188-pound Reed will look to contend as a nickel corner for San Francisco, along with K’Waun Williams.

While Williams is difficult to beat out, Reed can at least serve as a solid backup. Unless he highly impresses in training camp, Reed for now will have to watch from the sidelines or play for special teams.

Don’t sleep on undrafted rookie Tarvarus McFadden either. The former Florida State standout has the physical tools and defensive abilities that could land him a roster spot before the 2018 regular season commences.