49ers: 3 Kendrick Bourne replacements in 2021 NFL Draft

Cornell Powell – Clemson

The 49ers had to have been impressed by what they saw from Cornell Powell in the week of practice at the Senior Bowl, where he was very strong in one-on-one drills.

Those drills are naturally conducive to receiver success but Powell’s performance in Mobile was reflective of a 2020 campaign in which he seized his opportunity having been consistently buried on the Clemson depth chart.

In terms of his body type, Powell is somewhat similar to that of Deebo Samuel, possessing a compact, well-built frame that helps him stay on his feet through contact and pick up yards after the catch.

Yet his game is as much about finesse as it about power and reliance on his bulk. Powell displays an intriguing change of direction ability to help him win with his release and generate separation. A hands-catcher who can track the ball impressively and extend at the catch point, Powell showcased a knack for making clutch catches for Clemson last year, just as Bourne did over the course of his 49ers career.

Inexperience is perhaps the biggest knock on Powell, but the level of detail in his route-running suggests this is a player who works very hard on his craft. That dedication was a huge part of Bourne’s success in San Francisco and Powell has the look of a player who could replicate it.