49ers 2019 NFL Draft: 5 players to target on day three

While it may seem that the 49ers have added depth at corner with their free agency signing of Jason Verrett, there are several things to take into consideration. Cornerback Richard Sherman is aging, and while he had the left side of the field locked down for the most part, his age and drop off in performance resulting from his Achilles injury, namely speed, will start to come into play over the next season or so.

Verett has been injury plagued since joining the league. If he is able to stay healthy, he has a reasonable chance of starting opposite Sherman. However, you have to realize that there is every chance he succumbs to injury again during the season or simply isn’t the standard of player he used to be.

Corner Ahkello Witherspoon, who had a disappointing 2018 season, will look to make an impact this season to secure a longer-term role with the Niners.

This leads us into Michigan State’s wide receiver convert Justin Layne. Coming in at 6-foot-3 and 185 pounds, he possesses the size Kyle Shanahan generally associates with his corners. 2018 saw Layne with a combined 72 tackles, including 2.5 for a loss. He also had one interception and a massive 15 pass deflections.

His prior experience as a receiver has provided him with the ability to recognize routes and make adjustments where appropriate. He has a great football IQ, often restricting the throwing windows by closing with receivers and challenging the ball with his aggressive playing style.

Assisted by his long arms, Layne is an efficient tackler, aiming low and wrapping effectively. With the 49ers’ poor performance in the secondary during 2018, this is a plus.

While he does not have the short-area quickness enjoyed by some, once he opens up the gas tank, he has more than adequate speed, which assists him in his most proficient area, man coverage.