5 prospects 49ers target if Commanders trade No. 11 draft pick for Jimmy Garoppolo

49ers Target No. 3: CB Ahmad Gardner, Cincinnati

The last of the triumvirate of cornerbacks the team could consider with No. 11, Ahmad Gardner is a bolter like Trent McDuffie and fits perfectly as a zone-coverage cornerback who can play on the outside.

Gardner is the tallest quarterback of the three but also the lankiest at 6-foot-2 and 188 pounds, but he’s someone who can fit perfectly into San Francisco’s zone-based coverage scheme. He thrives in zone, showing a good understanding of where to place himself and using his length to disrupt routes.

His length and speed also allow him to make plays on the ball, and he had three interceptions every single season of his collegiate career. He also showed a talent for blitzing with three sacks for his final season with Cincinnati.

Gardner is a little raw, however, with some tackling consistency issues and a tendency to grab onto receivers resulting in penalties. He showed some progression with the latter this season with the flags being thrown against him lessening, and tackling is always a technique that can be taught in the preseason.

Unlike McDuffie and Derek Stingley, Gardner does have a little work to do before he can be trusted with a permanent starting role. But he looks set to be a safe pick in the pros and someone who could be an upgrade for the 49ers sooner rather than later.