49ers can target these 5 small-school prospects in 2022 NFL Draft
By Peter Panacy
49ers small-school prospect No. 3: CB Zyon McCollum, Sam Houston State
The Niners shouldn’t stand pat at cornerback even after signing former Kansas City Chiefs defensive back Charvarius Ward to a lucrative free-agent deal. Should San Francisco find a clear-cut upgrade over No. 2 corner Emmanuel Moseley, or at least someone who can serve as a top depth piece, it should do so.
One of the players who could easily fit the bill for a boundary cornerback is Sam Houston State’s Zyon McCollum, who found his way onto a Niner Noise mock draft already and could easily be in the running for a starting position, if not an immediate depth piece right out of the gate.
Teams like the 49ers will be intrigued by McCollum’s impressive 6-foot-4 and 200-pound frame, but what also stands out is his notably fast speed, a 4.33 40-yard time during the NFL Combine.
As far as production? It’s there, too. While one could look at the level of competition as a question mark, there’s no doubting his 13 interceptions and six forced fumbles during his collegiate tenure, and the Niners could surely stand for some ballhawk-type players within their secondary.
McCollum might need to stay in a zone-style system to reach full success, but that’s likely what San Francisco will continue to do and could infuse the cornerback if it looks to add him late on day two.