5 draft prospects 49ers trade back into Round 1 for

49ers Trade-Up Target No. 2: CB Greg Newsome II, Northwestern

Jaycee Horn falling into a first-round range where the Niners would be comfortable with a trade-up is a long shot. It’s there, but it’s not likely.

A much more feasible possibility, however, is Northwestern cornerback Greg Newsome II.

Newsome has been a steady riser the past few months, going from a surefire Round 2 prospect to potentially one of the top two corners selected in Round 1, perhaps even in the late teens depending on how teams view him.

The 6-foot-1, 190-pound corner wasn’t much of a ballhawk at the collegiate level, having just one interception over his three years with the Wildcats. But he’s a bit better versed in zone coverage than Horn and fits the bill for the long, lanky cornerbacks San Francisco has traditionally used before relying more on players like Jason Verrett and Emmanuel Moseley, who are both shorter than 6-foot.

A team like the 49ers would appreciate Newsome’s speed after he clocked a 4.38 40-yard time at his pro day, meaning his converging skills should be there while playing off coverage.

Newsome could easily slip late into the 20s, though, meaning the Niners could easily have a shot to act aggressively, moving up via a trade while ensuring they land a corner who could potentially be a plug-and-play option on day one.