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5 players 49ers should draft in the first round

By Nicholas McGee

Ohio State football quarterback Justin Fields. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Ohio State football quarterback Justin Fields. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 11, 2021; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Patrick Surtain II (2) against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the 2021 College Football Playoff National Championship Game. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 11, 2021; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Patrick Surtain II (2) against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the 2021 College Football Playoff National Championship Game. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama

Cornerback has been a popular pick for the 49ers in several mock drafts at late. The need is there even with the 49ers re-signing Jason Verrett, Emmanuel Moseley and K’Waun Williams. The former still comes with significant concern over his injury history despite staying healthy and playing at a Comeback Player of the Year level in 2020.

The 49ers have typically built from the front on defense but it is debatable whether there is an edge rusher worthy of being selected at 12 in this class.

Caleb Farley is the name connected with the 49ers in most of the aforementioned mocks but NFL Media’s Bucky Brooks had San Francisco taking Surtain in his most recent projection and it is the Alabama star that would make more sense for the Niners.

Farley arguably has the most significant upside of any corner in the class but, having transitioned from wide receiver at Virginia Tech, he is raw and still learning the position. There are likely to be growing pains with Farley that San Francisco might not be able to afford should Verrett suffer a setback in his resurgence.

Any growing pains with Surtain are unlikely to be as impactful. The son of a three-time Pro Bowler at the position, Surtain is the most pro-ready corner in the class. He is a patient, technically sound corner who possesses the physicality to play press and the awareness to excel in zone coverage.

Composed and disciplined, Surtain rarely panics, using the combination of his eyes and his physical gifts to stay in position to impact the play, with his long arms helping him do that at the catch point.

Surtain could step in right away and compete with Verrett and Moseley for one of the starting spots on the outside. Cornerbacks take time to settle in the NFL, but Surtain likely would need the least time of any in the draft and would offer the 49ers a long-term solution at a premium position.