The 2021 NFL draft could be among the most fascinating ever if the college football season winds up getting impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. While the 49ers have Super Bowl aspirations that’ll keep them from looking ahead to next year’s draft, it’s still worthwhile to keep tabs of the college football landscape.
The Draft Wire posted an early two-round mock draft that highlights a couple of interesting things for the 49ers. San Francisco’s picks include South Carolina cornerback Israel Mukuamu with the No. 31 overall pick, and Memphis running back Kenneth Gainwell with the No. 63 selection.
Since these players haven’t played a down of their final college seasons yet, we’ll hold off on the breakdown and instead consider the positions San Francisco targets in the mock.
Given the contract situations on the 49ers’ roster, it stands to reason cornerback will be their biggest need in the 2021 offseason. None of their top four corners are under contract beyond 2020, and Richard Sherman turned 32 this offseason. Even if either Ahkello Witherspoon or Emmanuel Moseley plays himself into a long-term deal, there’s still likely to be a vacancy on the other side. There’s also a chance K’Waun Williams’ market rises above the 49ers’ price range.
By not addressing their looming cornerback issues in the 2020 draft, San Francisco is likely to make it their top priority next year. That player could certainly be Mukuamu, a 6-4, 205-pound behemoth who has five interceptions through two college seasons.
Running back also has
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