SF 49ers: Ranking top 5 needs in 2021 NFL Draft

SF 49ers NFL Draft Need No. 1: Cornerback

It’s a bit of a wonder why San Francisco didn’t go after a cornerback in the 2020 NFL Draft when there were clear long-term needs and that year’s class was considered notably deep at the position.

San Francisco 49ers

And it’s possible the SF 49ers pay for that inaction in 2021.

Cornerbacks Richard Sherman, Jason Verrett, Ahkello Witherspoon, Dontae Johnson, K’Waun Williams, Jamar Taylor and Emmanuel Moseley (RFA) are all scheduled to hit free agency this offseason. Retaining Moseley, perhaps Williams and Verrett, seems to be the most plausible. But it is going to be essential for the Niners to bulk up this unit with younger, potentially more talented defensive backs via the draft.

Again, young corners can struggle with the transition from the college ranks to the pros. Opponents’ routes are far more dynamic, coverage schemes are more complex and the nature of competition is both faster and more physical. Rare are the corners who go from a top prospect to a bona fide starter in year one.

To guard against some serious attrition, both in 2021 and beyond, San Francisco has to make some investments in its defensive backfield, potentially using a first- or second-round pick to grab a top cornerback in this year’s draft.

Simply stated, John Lynch can’t repeat last year’s move of not grabbing a corner.