10 prospects 49ers should avoid selecting in 2021 NFL Draft

No. 8 49ers Prospect to Avoid: Cornerback Derion Kendrick

The 49ers need cornerbacks this offseason, particularly with Richard Sherman, K’Waun Williams and Jason Verrett highlighting their cast of position players hitting the free-agent market in 2021.

Yes, there are things to like about Clemson cornerback Derion Kendrick. At 6-foot-0 and 190 pounds, he has sufficient size and would seem to be a much better fit in a zone-style defense where he doesn’t have to rely solely on his man-coverage skills.

Those coverage skills were exploited in a big way in the Sugar Bowl versus Ohio State where wide receiver Chris Olave put on a massive show, frequently beating Kendrick on a routine basis. And anyone wondering about Kendrick helping improve his NFL Draft stock from being a mid-round pick to potentially higher had a clear answer.

Kendrick is likely no more than a Round 3 selection at best.

Even then, he has question marks. True, Kendrick impressed early in 2020. But the fact he’s a converted wide receiver with essentially just two collegiate years’ experience at the position is a concern.

Perhaps Kendrick could be a developmental corner worth targeting in the later rounds, should he fall. But if he’s available in Rounds 3 or 4, the 49ers simply need to say no.