2021 NFL Draft: 5 prospects 49ers should watch early on
By Peter Panacy
Cornerback. Cardinal . Paulson Adebo. 1. player. 871.
49ers Target No. 1: Cornerback Paulson Adebo, Stanford
It almost seems perfect the Niners could be in position to replace Richard Sherman on the boundary with another Stanford Cardinal, cornerback Paulson Adebo, who is one of the top-ranked defensive backs heading into the 2021 NFL Draft.
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Adebo might not be anywhere close to the level of hype compared to, let’s say, Alabama’s Patrick Surtain II. But the 6-foot-1, 190-pound Adebo looks to be a perfect fit for San Francisco towards the tail end of Round 1 if John Lynch wants to go that route.
Keep tabs on Lynch’s Stanford pedigree, too.
Adebo also has some ballhawking tendencies from his college career already, boasting a combined eight interceptions the past two years with a whopping 27 passes broken up. Based off the stats alone, he’s starting to show the signs of being a lockdown corner, and opposing quarterbacks aren’t having the ideal kind of success targeting him in coverage.
Another solid season could ultimately push Adebo out of the Niners’ projected draft range, but they should be more than comfortable taking a shot with him if he’s available in the latter stages of Round 1 where the 49ers are expected to select.
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With Adebo in tow, San Francisco can have a solid long-term solution for its defensive backfield.