2020 NFL Draft: 7-round 49ers mock going all defense

We’re already at that point where the 49ers are looking for hidden-gem talent after landing some quality Round 1 players already.

With the pick acquired back from the Denver Broncos in the 2019 trade for wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders, the Niners show they’re not done addressing cornerback needs, both in terms of depth and potential starters.

Pitt cornerback Dane Jackson has some traits which easily drop him down into a day-three selection, namely his lack of straight-line speed and an inability to adequately recover when beat by his receiver.

That said, the 6-foot-0, 187-pound Jackson plays well in zone and generally makes up for the lack of speed with physicality and route matching with slower receivers. He also has a knack for getting in the way of the ball, as evidenced by his 26 pass breakups over the last two seasons.

There are some similarities between Jackson and Richard Sherman, particularly the strength off the snap and ability to recognize routes early. Like Sherman, Jackson won’t win with speed.

But that never stopped the veteran All-Pro, either.