49ers’ 4 biggest remaining holes ahead of 2022 NFL Draft
By Peter Panacy
49ers hole No. 3: Cornerback
Yes, San Francisco’s big-ticket free-agent acquisition this offseason was former Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Charvarius Ward, who’ll be slotted in as the de facto No. 1 player at his position on the team’s depth chart.
However, it would be a smart move to avoid neglecting this spot on the roster by the time the draft rolls around.
2021 rookie Ambry Thomas showed some promise late in the year after some early struggles that carried over into his first few games as a starter beyond the halfway point of the season. He’s certainly in the mix to start, but there’s no guarantee he’ll wind up being an adequate and reliable option.
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Likewise, veteran corner Emmanuel Moseley is one of those players who is good enough as a starter but always seems to prompt the desire to upgrade, sort of on the fringes between starting and serving as a backup.
The biggest gap is arguably felt, though, by the free-agent departure of nickel cornerback K’Waun Williams, which may prompt the 49ers to seek out someone who can play over the slot or to serve solely on the boundary, thereby moving Moseley inside on a permanent basis.
As is the case at safety, there are a number of likable options at cornerback on the second and third days of the draft.