San Francisco 49ers: 3 potential replacements for Richard Sherman in 2021 NFL Draft

Paulson Adebo – Stanford

If you’re attempting to replace Richard Sherman, why not look just a few miles down the road to his alma mater and a program that has strong ties to the 49ers through both its location and general manager Lynch, who also starred for the Cardinal in college.

Adebo is more of a wild card than Horn having opted out of the 2020 season, he also lacks the movement skills and at his weight, the 6ft 1in and 190-pound corner may be at a bit of a disadvantage against stockier and more physical NFL receivers.

He makes up for that missing bulk with length and aggression. Adebo may not be able to turn and run with receivers with the same ease that Horn does, but he’ll get in their face and jam them up nice and early in press coverage.

Additionally, he showcased impressive ball skills in his two seasons with Stanford, recording four interceptions and 17 pass breakups his sophomore year before adding another four picks and 10 passes defensed as a junior.

His intelligence in reading the quarterback’s eyes played a part in those numbers. That awareness and the fire he evidently plays with could help a team like the 49ers – who are likely to still have more experienced options to lean on regardless of whether Sherman leaves – decide to take a chance on him later in the draft rather than eyeing a more well-rounded prospect on day one.