The 49ers will need a strong draft to bounce back in 2021
The San Francisco 49ers suffered a terrible rash of injuries on both sides of the ball in 2020. As a result, the team underwhelmed as a whole in the NFC West. A year after making it to the Super Bowl, San Francisco looks like a much different team heading into the 2021 offseason. With an inevitable change eventually coming at the quarterback position, the 49ers hope to become a more consistent and explosive offense moving forward.
Below, I have mocked all seven rounds for this proud 49ers’ franchise looking to get back to the elite ranks of the NFC. Opening day 2020 starters Jimmy Garoppolo and Raheem Mostert could be facing stiff competition after suffering through injuries and inconsistency this season. This 2021 NFL Draft filled a multitude of positions for San Francisco and could lead to a resurgence in the Bay Area under Coach Kyle Shanahan and company.
They will need a big 2021 NFL Draft to refocus next season.
Round 1, Pick 13 – Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina
The cornerback position has been a strength of this 49ers team the past few seasons with players like All-Pro Richard Sherman and hybrid star Jimmie Ward. However, Sherman does not expect to re-sign with the team this offseason. That loss could lead to the 49ers thinking long and hard about defensive back help early in the 2021 NFL Draft.
The 49ers have long fancied physical, press cornerbacks in recent years like Sherman, Dontae Johnson, and Ahkello Witherspoon. One 2021 NFL Draft prospect that recently declared and could interest them is the ultra-talented South Carolina Gamecock, Jaycee Horn. Standing at 6-foot-1, 200 pounds, Horn played a very physical brand of football in the SEC last season.
He showed improved footwork and ball skills in 2020 that could lead to him becoming the top cornerback off the board. Horn has shadow coverage ability and the size to match up with big NFC West receivers like DeAndre Hopkins, Cooper Kupp and D.K. Metcalf. Horn is just the type of young leader that San Francisco needs on this defense following a potential loss of Sherman.