49ers depth chart: 3 formerly injured players who are X-factors in 2020
By Peter Panacy
No. 3: 49ers Cornerback Tim Harris
It’s far too soon to assume second-year cornerback Tim Harris can provide any substantial impact.
After all, a knee injury his senior year at Virginia in 2018 hindered his 2019 NFL Draft stock, ruining a possible third- or fourth-round selection and allowing the Niners to pick him up with their final pick of the draft in Round 6.
Harris’ injuries at the collegiate level were a problem, yes. But the 6-foot-1, 205-pound defensive back has some solid traits which would fit into San Francisco’s Cover 3 zone-style scheme. Harris is rangy, has good reaction skills and plays with a nice level of physicality.
We saw him a bit during the preseason, only to see his rookie year redshirted. Yet the 49ers have some notable depth concerns at cornerback, both in 2020 and beyond, considering defensive backs Richard Sherman and Ahkello Witherspoon are entering contract years.
Behind those two on the depth chart, San Francisco could be relying on corners Jason Verrett and Dontae Johnson, which isn’t overly inspiring.
Harris should be given plenty of opportunity in camp to prove his value, perhaps surpassing the latter two on the depth chart and cementing a future role with the Niners.
Anything beyond that would be a massive bonus.