49ers 7-round mock NFL Draft after first wave of free agency

Round 3, Pick No. 102 Overall (Compensatory): 49ers select cornerback Israel Mukuamu, South Carolina

While the 49ers have retained Jason Verrett and Emmanuel Moseley, there’s still plenty of room for some additions within the secondary. Those two re-signs help alleviate the pressure a bit, yes. But with Verrett back on a one-year deal and still boasting an unfortunate injury reputation, along with Moseley bouncing back and forth between being a starter and reserve player, it would be wise for John Lynch to use at least one of his first three picks on a cornerback.

In this case, South Carolina’s Israel Mukuamu would be a solid addition in Round 3.

Mukuamu, 6-foot-4 and 205 pounds, uses his long and lanky frame to his advantage, evidenced by his nine pass breakups in 2019 along with four interceptions that year.

Sure, injuries thwarted Mukuamu’s final season with the Gamecocks, likely causing his draft stock to slip. But one could argue he makes up for it with the versatility to play boundary cornerback, a big nickel or even a regular free safety with his ranginess and fluidity.

Those are bonuses, as the Niners still have long-term questions about their defensive backfield heading into 2022.

Even if he’s not required to start right away for San Francisco, Mukuamu would be an ideal developmental candidate to eventually take over one of the boundary cornerback spots poised to open up not too far down the line.