3 reasons 49ers passed on cornerbacks in 2020 NFL Draft

The San Francisco 49ers chose not to take any cornerbacks in the 2020 NFL Draft, and Niner Noise explores some speculative reasons why this was the route taken by general manager John Lynch and Co.

Again, this is purely speculative. But there have to be reasons why the San Francisco 49ers chose not to select a cornerback or two in the 2020 NFL Draft.

Granted, the Niners brought aboard Missouri’s DeMarkus Acy as an undrafted free agent. But as far as the five drafted selections in late April, none were corners.

It was a provocative route by general manager John Lynch. While San Francisco made efforts to reinforce the offensive line and upgrade the wide receiver group, cornerback was widely considered a major position of need.

Particularly when looking at the current members on the team’s roster for 2020:

• DeMarkus Acy
• Tim Harris
• Dontae Johnson
• Jermaine Kelly
• Tarvarius Moore
• Emmanuel Moseley
• Richard Sherman
• Teez Tabor
• Jason Verrett
• K’Waun Williams
• Ahkello Witherspoon

Sherman, Williams, Verrett, Witherspoon and Johnson are all scheduled to be unrestricted free agents in 2021, while Moseley and Tabor will be restricted free agents. And of the above crop, only Sherman, Williams, Moseley and, to a lesser extent, Witherspoon inspire much confidence in full-time starting roles.

Acy could be a nice developmental prospect, just like Moseley. But it’s far too soon to assume the 49ers found another UDFA gem.

As for the rest? Perhaps little more than training camp depth and competition.

Yet there has to be some rationale behind Lynch’s thinking. It might be something simple, complex or a combination of reasons. Either way, Niner Noise explores three possible reasons why San Francisco chose not to select a cornerback in the 2020 NFL Draft.