Niner Noise
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4 cornerbacks from NFL Draft 49ers could pair with Richard Sherman

By Peter Panacy

NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 13: A.J. Terrell #8 of the Clemson Tigers celebrates a defensive stop against the LSU Tigers during the College Football Playoff National Championship held at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 13: A.J. Terrell #8 of the Clemson Tigers celebrates a defensive stop against the LSU Tigers during the College Football Playoff National Championship held at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images) /
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Richard Sherman, 49ers
Richard Sherman #25 of the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

The San Francisco 49ers will likely look at cornerbacks in the upcoming 2020 NFL Draft, and the perfect complement to Richard Sherman should be a priority.

It’s anyone’s guess what the San Francisco 49ers will do with their top two picks in the upcoming 2020 NFL Draft. A flashy, playmaking wide receiver sure sounds nice. Or maybe the Niners grab a pocket-wrecking defensive lineman to make up for the March trade of defensive tackle DeForest Buckner to the Indianapolis Colts.

And while it wouldn’t be as flashy, perhaps San Francisco decides to get both younger and cheaper along the offensive line, potentially finding an eventual heir apparent to veteran left tackle Joe Staley.

All of those would be wise routes to take, yes. But it doesn’t change the fact the 49ers would also be wise to grab a cornerback early in this year’s draft.

While the position class isn’t anywhere as deep as wide receiver, there is a good crop of corners in the 2020 draft. Perhaps the Niners elect to address this position early, potentially using the No. 13 overall pick on someone. Or maybe it winds up being a day-two pick, should San Francisco trade out of its No. 31 overall selection.

Here’s the rationale: The 49ers have a veteran corner in Richard Sherman, yes. And he’ll be a mainstay within the defense for at least another year before his contract expires in 2021. Opposite him, the current options are Emmanuel Moseley and Ahkello Witherspoon, the latter also a pending free agent after this season.

Moseley, who played well for the majority of last season, still gave up that crucial 44-yard play to the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIV. While Moseley could still be a long-term answer down the road, finding upgrades should still be part of San Francisco’s priority list. The Niners haven’t shied away from this approach before, so don’t expect it to change now.

Here are four prospective cornerbacks the 49ers could look to pair with Sherman as early as this season.