49ers 7-round 2022 mock NFL Draft, Christmas edition

Round 3, Pick No. 86 Overall: Cornerback Coby Bryant, Cincinnati

Just because the Niners avoided grabbing a cornerback with their first pick in the 2022 draft doesn’t mean they’ll completely avoid the position altogether, and it wouldn’t be shocking to see multiple picks thrown at this pressing need.

San Francisco will likely bid farewell to veteran corner Josh Norman this offseason after his valiant-but-frustrating one-year tenure with the team, and first-year cornerbacks Ambry Thomas and Deommodore Lenoir have a long way to go before emerging as reliable starters.

Heck, even nickel cornerback K’Waun Williams is a pending free agent, too, although he remains a high re-sign priority.

With few options on the roster and limited targets in NFL free agency, the 49ers’ next best option would be to go after 6-foot-1, 198-pound Cincinnati cornerback Coby Bryant, a zone-style corner with six interceptions and 18 passes broken up over the last two years.

Bryant, who has no hesitation about being physical against opposing wide receivers, might be a bit of a penalty liability early in his career.

But there’s a lot to like about the combination of his strength, size and awareness to make him a solid target in Round 3.