Niner Noise
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5 early candidates for 49ers first pick in 2020 NFL Draft

By Elvis Jerez

ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 08: Terrell Lewis #24 of the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrates beating the Georgia Bulldogs in overtime and winning the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 8, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. Alabama won 26-23. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 08: Terrell Lewis #24 of the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrates beating the Georgia Bulldogs in overtime and winning the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 8, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. Alabama won 26-23. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images) /
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Cornerback. Tigers . A.J. Terrell. 2. player. 879.

Who is he?

Cornerback A.J. Terrell from Clemson is ranked 31st overall and sixth best at his position in the 2020 NFL Draft. Terrell boasts the kind of “stickiness” ideally suited for someone to succeed in man coverage. His stats with the Clemson Tigers:

  • 107 tackles
  • Six interceptions, one of those a pick-six
  • 30 starts of 40 games played
  • 29-1 record as a starter

Per Clemson’s website, Terrell was a first-team All-ACC selection in 2019 and a third-team All-ACC selection in 2018. He was also the highest-rated signee within the 2017 class. Nevertheless, Terrell isn’t a shutdown corner candidate at this stage. He’s the lowest-rated player at his position — sixth — who will likely be around when the 49ers go on the clock.

Why it makes sense?

Polarizing. Storied. Elite. Call him whatever you want. What cornerback Richard Sherman accomplished last year after coming off an Achilles injury at his age is nothing short of extraordinary. The man willed himself into shape to compete at the high level in which he did so.

The 49ers couldn’t have asked for more out of Sherman.

Still, the Niners know Sherman won’t be around forever and need to start thinking ahead. Snagging a top-six cornerback who projects to go right at par in this draft cannot be ignored.