49ers NFL Draft: Ifeatu Melifonwu would be a steal in Round 3

The 49ers are going to need cornerbacks in the 2021 NFL Draft, and Syracuse’s Ifeatu Melifonwu slipping into Round 3 would be a massive steal.

A year ago, the San Francisco 49ers failed to take advantage of an awfully deep NFL Draft class at cornerback.

With Richard Sherman now gone in free agency and fellow corners Jason Verrett and K’Waun Williams back only on one-year deals, one would assume the Niners are going to act differently in the 2021 draft with at least one of their nine picks.

San Francisco’s trade up to No. 3 overall all but ensures general manager John Lynch will grab a quarterback first, crossing off first-round cornerback prospects like Alabama’s Patrick Surtain II or South Carolina’s Jaycee Horn.

But another day-two target for the 49ers could be Syracuse corner Ifeatu Melifonwu.

Provided by CFB at Sports Reference
Generated 4/7/2021.

While not necessarily a ballhawk at the collegiate level, the 6-foot-3, 213-pound Melifonwu has an awfully similar build as Sherman.

And while the Niners have seemingly shifted from their previous prioritizing of long, lanky boundary cornerbacks in Sherman’s ilk, namely with the sub-6-foot Verrett, it wouldn’t be shocking to see San Francisco go back to this kind of form.

Unlike Sherman, however, Melifonwu has speed on his size, having ran a 4.50 40-yard time during his pro day.

The 49ers already met with Melifonwu, who told Niners Nation’s Kyle Posey it was the best one he had during the pre-draft process. And the Niners certainly have some dirt, be it good or bad, from already rostering Melifonwu’s older brother, Obi.

Ifeatu Melifonwu scouting report, fit with 49ers

As noted by his relative lack of generated turnovers and only modest number of pass breakups, Melifonwu isn’t someone who has a pedigree of getting his hands on the ball. And according to his draft profile on NFL.com, Melifonwu has some technique issues that need some refinement. While he projects best as a zone-style cornerback with the action in front of him, it would be nice to see him give up a little less space when in coverage.

That said, those are relatively minor traits in need of improvement.

What stands out about Melifonwu in a positive way, however, is his converging speed and willingness to get physical at the point of the catch without getting too grabby.

Those efforts show up on film:

Melifonwu is more than just a willing tackler, never shying away from delivering a hard strike while timing it well with the catch. And his technique here won’t lend itself to a lot of missed tackles either.

Even with Verrett and Williams back, the Niners still have a question mark at one of their two boundary spots. Fellow corner Emmanuel Moseley, back on a two-year deal, has occupied this role before, and it wouldn’t be shocking to see this be the case again.

Yet Moseley has bounced back and forth from the starting lineup, and one might argue he’d be a better option as a high-quality backup or long-term nickel replacement for Williams.

Melifonwu, meanwhile, could project as a quality starting-caliber defensive back within two years.

Now, the only question is how far he’ll fall in the NFL Draft.

While not as deep as last year, the 2021 draft is still pretty deep at the position. As of now, Melifonwu is pegged as an easy day-two pick, potentially falling into Round 3 where San Francisco has a compensatory selection. He might not fall that deep, perhaps prompting either some hope from the 49ers’ vantage point or, perhaps, a trade-up from late in the round.

But either way, somehow figuring out a way to land Melifonwu in Round 3 would be a massive boost for the Niners defense.