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San Francisco 49ers: Full seven-round 2019 NFL mock draft

By Justin Fried

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 03: Defensive lineman Nick Bosa of Ohio State works out during day four of the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 3, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 03: Defensive lineman Nick Bosa of Ohio State works out during day four of the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 3, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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San Francisco 49ers
AUSTIN, TX – OCTOBER 13: Derrek Thomas #23 of the Baylor Bears breaks up a pass intended for Brennan Eagles #82 of the Texas Longhorns in the first half at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on October 13, 2018 in Austin, Texas. San Francisco 49ers draft (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

The 49ers finally address cornerback, albeit with the first of their two sixth-round picks. It would have been nice to address the position earlier in the draft, but it’s just the way that the board fell in this one.

Derrek Thomas may not be a household name amongst the draft community, but the Baylor product is a high-upside developmental prospect who could be an excellent fit with the 49ers. Thomas began his collegiate career as a wide receiver before switching over to cornerback after his freshman season.

With just three years of experience at the position, there is still plenty of room for him to grow but the physical potential is clearly there. Thomas has rare size for a cornerback standing at 6-foot-3 and has the athleticism to turn and run with most opposing receivers.

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Given his receiver background, Thomas obviously has excellent ball skills and he uses his size to win high-point battles against receivers. His lanky stature makes him an excellent fit in the 49ers Cover 3 scheme as he is best when asked to play in off-coverage and cover a deep third.

In fact, his story sounds eerily similar to that of current 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman who began his career at Stanford as a receiver before transitioning to a full-time role at cornerback. Like Thomas, Sherman also stands at 6-foot-3 and excels in a Cover 3 scheme.

Of course, Thomas has a long way to go before he could be considered anywhere near Sherman’s level and he certainly must bulk-up his frame at the next level. But the physical potential is there; it’s just up to him and his coaching staff to develop him in the NFL.

As a sixth-round flier, Thomas would be an excellent get for the 49ers.