49ers 7-round mock NFL Draft with Super Bowl 56 in the books

Round 7, Pick No. 262 Overall (Compensatory): CB Tariq Woolen, UTSA

Yes, throwing more ammunition to the Niners’ needs at cornerback.

UTSA cornerback Tariq Woolen is an intriguing prospect, and his draft positioning is a bit all over the place. Some big boards have him pegged as a late day-two prospect, while the Pro Football Focus mock suggests he’ll be a back-end prospect, potentially someone who slips through to the ranks of the undrafted.

Either way, he winds up being San Francisco’s final selection in this particular mock, and it’s not hard to see why the 49ers would gamble on Woolen’s upside.

The first two corners selected, Jalen Pitre and Marcus Jones, are a bit on the smaller side. And while the Niners have somewhat moved away from the bigger-bodied boundary cornerbacks in recent years, there’s something enticing enough about Woolen’s 6-foot-4, 205-pound frame.

Woolen has the speed to match, too, and this isn’t the case where he’s merely a challenge in the size department.

So, why would he slip into Round 7?

Woolen is a converted wide receiver with only two years at his new position, and the rawness to his game is still notably there. At the NFL level, he likely wouldn’t be anything close to a plug-and-play option, meaning whatever team drafts him will have to bank on his development.

Already having invested assets at the position, though, San Francisco can afford to be patient and hope Woolen turns into a quality defensive back at the pro level.