Niner Noise
FanSided

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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 5
Next
C.J. Henderson, Florida Gators
Defensive back C.J. Henderson #1 of the Florida Gators (Mandatory Credit: Getty Images) /

Gators . C.J. Henderson. 1. player. 840. . Cornerback

Let’s face it, it would be wonderful if Ohio State cornerback Jeffrey Okudah somehow fell to the 49ers at No. 13 overall. Being the top-ranked corner in this year’s NFL Draft, though, it’s highly unlikely anything of the sort happens.

Still, if the Niners want to use their first pick on a corner, the likeliest of targets is Florida’s C.J. Henderson, who is widely seen as the next best option behind Okudah.

More from SF 49ers Draft

Henderson also has the ideal body type, coming in at 6-foot-1 and 205 pounds. Speed surely isn’t lacking, either, as Henderson ran a blazing-fast 4.39 40-yard time at the NFL Scouting Combine, while also showing some hops with a 37.5 vertical leap. And while he didn’t record an interception his final year with the Gators, he did manage 11 pass breakups, which is a good indication he has no trouble getting in the way of the ball and its intended target.

As far as reaction skills go, Henderson doesn’t have a lot of weaknesses. And his long 31 5/8-inch arms manage to create a lot of havoc, even if he winds up losing a step on a receiver.

Now, there are some questions about his fit in a zone-style scheme. But if the Niners’ recent tendencies of utilizing more man coverage continue to develop, grabbing a player like Henderson at No. 13 overall wouldn’t be much of a stretch.

Next. 49ers' 15 best draft-day steals of all time. dark

The 2020 NFL Draft kicks off on Thursday, April 23.