Editor’s note: Matt Maiocco will provide daily content previewing the NFL Draft, including position breakdowns, news stories, mock drafts and more. Here, he analyzes draft prospects at cornerback, and whether the 49ers should select one.
The 49ers last season replaced two starting cornerbacks who combined for 28 starts the previous season.
There were a lot of changes on the defense, as a whole. And the 49ers’ secondary did not get much help from a pass rush that was not nearly as consistent last season.
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Chris Culliver and Perrish Cox were replaced by Tramaine Brock, who remained healthy for most of the season after missing 13 games in 2014, and Kenneth Acker. Brock had a solid season. Acker won the job at right cornerback and started 13 games before losing playing time late in the season.
While the 49ers have some good, young pieces at cornerback, they are lacking players who look capable of turning into Pro Bowl-caliber players.
Who’s here: Tramaine Brock, Kenneth Acker, Dontae Johnson, Keith Reaser, Marcus Cromartie, Chris Davis
Draft needs: The 49ers are reportedly one of the team to show interest in All-Pro cornerback Josh Norman, whom the Carolina Panthers decided to allow to hit free agency on Wednesday. The Panthers rescinded their franchise tag on Norman, immediately making him a free agent.
San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers have $52.6 million in cap space, but they face the possible obstacle of being required to pay Norman considerably more than other interested teams due to the high California state income tax.
Assuming the 49ers do not sign Norman, the team can look for cornerback help at virtually any spot in the draft, beginning at No. 7 overall. But that has not been the 49ers' style. They have not selected a cornerback in the first or second rounds since Shawntae Spencer in 2004. And their only third-round pick on a cornerback in the past decade was Chris Culliver in 2011.
Good fits: In the unlikely event Jalen Ramsey of Florida State is still on the board, he could be easily be ticketed to the 49ers.
The 49ers have some interest in some of the top cornerbacks in the draft, including Vernon Hargreaves (Florida), William Jackson (Houston), Mackenzie Alexander (Clemson) and Eli Apple (Ohio State) come into play. Jackson, Alexander, Apple and Eric Murray of Minnesota each reportedly took official visits to Santa Clara to meet with the 49ers.