After he was fired by the Atlanta Falcons, the San Francisco 49ers hiring Raheem Morris as their new defensive coordinator was an easy decision. Not only is he close friends with Kyle Shanahan, but he's a Super Bowl-winning DC who should be able to whip this talented 49ers' defense back into shape.
And if Morris wants to revamp the defense, that starts with the 2026 NFL Draft. Getting Mykel Williams and Nick Bosa back is a separate issue, but the Niners have enough needs on the defensive side of the football that they can go in several different directions and still field a solid draft class.
Edge rusher could be in play in the first round for the second straight year, and Morris' history should underscore the value of elite safety play. But what about a cornerback? CB is far from the biggest need on this San Francisco defense, but there's a prospect who Morris has a clear connection with...
The San Francisco could allow Raheem Morris to be himself by drafting Avieon Terrell
Morris was the Falcons' DC when they drafted A.J. Terrell in the fiest round in 2020, so it would come full circle if he was the 49ers' DC and they drafted Avieon Terrell six years later. And not only that, the 49-year-old coached A.J. these last two years, so drafting Avieon would be more than a cool story.
Because of their family connection the two Terrell brothers are very similar prospects. Just like his big brother, Avieon is physical at the catch point, rarely gives up big plays, is great against the run, and he has the same technically sound approach that's turned A.J. into one of the NFL's best CBs.
The 49ers need a full-time CB2 opposite Deommodore Lenoir too. Renardo Green took a major step back, Jack Jones and Nate Hobbs are mere depth signings, and Upton Stout is a nickel corner. By this logic, you have no long-term boundary corner opposite Lenoir, so Terrell could easily fill that role.
Luckily, the 49ers may be able to draft him at a discount. A tweaked hamstring has him on the first-round borderline after previously being looked at as a top 20 lock. So the Niners can either take him at 27, or trade out of the first round entirely and still nab a first-round talent in Terrell early on Day 2.
Given the similarities between the two brothers, Morris' love for contunuity, and what he typically looks for in his DBs, it's not insane to suggest that John Lynch will help him out by foregoing needs-best drafting to take a semi-familiar scheme fit with one of San Francisco's first 2026 draft picks.
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