It’s about time the 49ers make a real investment into the position instead of trying to hit on late round players or fill it with veterans in free agency.
Options are there for the 49ers, but I imagine they will want to actually make a first round selection, so I am ruling out a trade down. That leaves them to either stand pat or trade up. Whatever move they end up choosing, it should lead them towards drafting a cornerback in the first round.
It is time for the 49ers to finally make a serious draft investment at cornerback. For years, this regime has been looking for that anchor at outside cornerback, but it has mainly derived from free agency. It started with the roll of the dice with Richard Sherman, then Jason Verrett, and now Charvarius Ward.
Free agency cannot be their continued answer at the position. They need a cornerback for the long haul once and for all. Drafting one in the first round gives them that long-term answer with the five-year rookie contract if they end up picking up the final year option.
Having a long-term answer is crucial for the 49ers because their two anchors, Ward and Deommodore Lenoir, are on the last year of their deals. I would imagine that the 49ers will favor Lenoir since he is younger and will be cheaper, especially if they keep him as a nickel.
What should the San Francisco 49ers do when they are on the clock at the NFL draft with pick No. 31?
That has been the constant question asked for the last month. It is difficult to imagine who they will take and what they will do in the first round since they are picking right near the end of the round.