49ers cornerback Tim Harris a dark-horse starter in 2020

The San Francisco 49ers will likely add a cornerback in the 2020 NFL Draft, but second-year pro Tim Harris could be a low-profile candidate for a starting job this upcoming season.

Remember when the San Francisco 49ers selected former Virginia cornerback Tim Harris in Round 6 of the 2019 NFL Draft.

Probably not, and that’s OK. After all, Harris had an injury-plagued collegiate career, and his early time with the Niners was abbreviated by him being placed on season-ending injured reserve right out of the preseason.

Harris managed to play in two exhibition games last year, recording three tackles and generally showing why San Francisco took a late-round flier on him in the first place.

But what does Harris’ future hold moving forward?

It’s important to acknowledge the 49ers have some short- and long-term concerns at the position. Veteran corner Richard Sherman is entering a contract year. And with him turning 32 years old this month, it’s unknown whether or not the Niners have any intentions of re-signing him once his deal is finished.

And fellow cornerbacks Ahkello Witherspoon and Emmanuel Moseley haven’t locked down the opposite starting job on the boundary, either.

While it’s a long shot, Harris has an outsider’s chance to be a starting cornerback this upcoming season. At 6-foot-2 and 197 pounds, his body type fits the bill for what coordinator Robert Saleh looks for his defense. And while Harris’ lengthy six-year college career produced essentially only two quality seasons, 2015 and 2018, one can look at his positive traits as reasons why Saleh and Co. will want to see what he can do this offseason.

Harris ran a 4.45 40-yard time at his 2019 pro day, flashing solid speed, while his ball skills were pretty notable at the college level.

The Draft Network’s Kyle Crabbs felt pretty good about Harris, projecting him to be a possible fourth-round pick last year:

"Tim Harris has all of the tools needed to potentially develop into a starting outside cornerback in the pros. The problem? Harris has had severe bouts with health and his long term availability is in something of a question as a result. Harris has attractive traits and it’s easy to love hit ball skills, physicality and anticipation. But can he stay healthy? This is a high ceiling, low floor type player when considering durability. Worth the risk in the late rounds, though."

Given the Niners ended up getting Harris in Round 6, one has to think any worthy production from the 24 year old now would only be a bonus.

How Harris bounces back from his 2019 injury will ultimately determine what kind of role he’ll have entering offseason activities. It’s likely San Francisco opens up the competition for the No. 2 cornerback spot between Witherspoon and Moseley, perhaps giving Harris second- or third-string duties during OTAs.

It’s not a good place to start. But if Harris can climb up the depth chart and possibly into an immediate backup role, one has to think there’s a dark-horse shot for the former Virginia standout to climb even further once the regular season hits.