No. 3: 49ers Passing on a Cornerback in the NFL Draft
Unless there are deep plans to offer up some serious re-sign contracts between now and 2021, it’s a bit puzzling the Niners didn’t use one of their five picks in the 2020 NFL Draft on a cornerback.
The 2020 class was pretty deep, too, and it would have been a safe bet for John Lynch to use one of his three day-three selections on an up-and-coming defensive back, perhaps someone like Virginia’s Bryce Hall.
True, San Francisco inked undrafted corner DeMarkus Acy after the draft, and the team can hope second-year pro Tim Harris, who was redshirted last season, develops into a quality depth piece. But neither player truly makes up for some pending concerns the 49ers have at this position.
Cornerbacks Richard Sherman, Ahkello Witherspoon, K’Waun Williams and Emmanuel Moseley will all be free agents next season, Moseley of the restricted variety, and the depth behind this starting foursome isn’t exactly promising.
What makes it worse is young defensive backs often take time to develop at the NFL level. The routes are more complex, coverages more intricate and opposing receivers are bigger, stronger and faster.
Unless the Niners are able to retain most of this core group via new contracts, they could be hurting for the lack of attention given here last April.