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San Francisco 49ers: 5 cornerbacks to watch at 2019 NFL Scouting Combine

By Peter Panacy

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 05: Central Florida defensive back Mike Hughes (DB15) runs the 40 yard dash during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 5, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 05: Central Florida defensive back Mike Hughes (DB15) runs the 40 yard dash during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 5, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – JANUARY 07: Trayvon Mullen #1 of the Clemson Tigers makes a second quarter interception against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Levi’s Stadium on January 7, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – JANUARY 07: Trayvon Mullen #1 of the Clemson Tigers makes a second quarter interception against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Levi’s Stadium on January 7, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

If the 49ers want to use one of their first two picks in the NFL Draft on a cornerback, going after Clemson’s Trayvon Mullen wouldn’t be the worst idea.

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Mullen was outstanding during the Tigers’ win over Alabama at the 2019 College Football Playoff National Championship game at Levi’s Stadium, and the 6-foot-1, 199-pound defensive back certainly won’t slip past Round 2 of the draft.

Mullen’s combine numbers will reveal just how good he could be, insofar as his straight-line speed and recovery skills. At Clemson, he generally showed good recovery when beaten off the line — an aspect many of the corners on this list struggle with. That’s probably one of the reasons Mullen is flirting with first-round consideration.

In many ways, Mullen is indicative of another 49ers cornerback, Richard Sherman, in effectively shutting down his portion of the field.

Should San Francisco feel enticed to try and shut down its other side of the defensive backfield, Mullen would be a wise choice.

Next. 5 offensive linemen who impressed 49ers at NFL Scouting Combine. dark

Mullen wasn’t a massive ballhawk and wasn’t targeted much last season, which led to only three pass breakups. But there’s value in that, and he could wind up being a solid day-two pick if his combine numbers shine.