Here are three players that the Niners would be lucky to get later in the draft

The San Francisco 49ers need help at edge rusher, safety, cornerback, and wide receiver. They could also stand to build some depth at a couple other positions. Since it’s all but a guarantee the team goes defensive line in the first round, I’ll give you one sleeper at the other three positions mentioned. Let’s start with safety.

S Juan Thornhill, Virginia

Thornhill is a name that the diehard draft fans will know, but is a relative unknown to the casual fan. Thornhill is a name that gets lost when you talk about the top safeties in the draft. After his ridiculous combine, he started to become more and more popular. The 49ers need to get more athletic on defense. That way they can do a better job of making plays in space, which leads to better tackling.

Thornhill ran a 4.42 40-yard dash. That speed shows up when he’s asked to track the ball down—whether going forwards or backwards—and make a play. Thornhill is aggressive against the run. He had the most tackles of any draft eligible safety. Sometimes he can get a little too aggressive and miss, but he also gets to a lot more plays than most. Thornhill is really good as a deep safety, but has the athleticism to drop down in the box and make plays. If available in the third round, the 49ers would love to get their hands on

Honorable mention: Utah’s Marquise Blair

WR Anthony Ratliff-Williams, UNC

If there’s a Kyle Shanahan type receiver out there later on, it’s this guy. Ratliff-Williams ran a 4.46 40-yard dash and jumped 35” in the vertical. Unfortunately, there aren’t any shuttle times on the 6’1, 205 pound receiver. Ratliff-Williams has the other intangibles that the Niners seem to covet. He’s clearly athletic. Ratliff-Williams was the kick returner at North Carolina, where he had two returns for touchdown in his career. He also was a punt gunner, not to mention a great blocker.

We care about Ratliff-Williams the receiver, though. He is used to timing routes underneath, and big shot plays down the field. Ratliff-Williams isn’t the most nuanced receiver when it comes to route running, but he gets open with speed. Check this route out below at 7:22.

You see the speed, and Ratliff-Williams ability to adjust. One area that the former QB also excels at his jump balls. He’s been known to “Moss” a defender or two.

He’ll be available on Day 3 of the draft, and the 49ers would be smart to give a talent like Ratliff-Williams a shot.

CB Jamel Dean, Auburn

To me, he’s the best corner in the draft. That probably feels like a hot take. I was on this train before the 6’1, 206 pound cornerback ran a 4.3 flat. Everything he did at the combine was impressive. I found out about Dean watching Georgia’s Riley Reid. Dean erased him. But he did that to the majority or receivers he faced in the SEC this year.

There are plenty of high end athletes that play corner. There are very few high end athletes that are also technically sound. You’ll see plenty of defensive backs fall for the first move the receiver makes and panic. Dean is always under control. He trusts his athleticism. The play above where he breaks up a pass really tells the story of the player. Fast, physical, and a finisher. I know the team brought in talent to compete, but Dean has the ability to be special.

Who is a sleeper that you want the team to draft later in the draft?