The San Francisco 49ers enter the 2025 NFL Draft with several key roster needs, and cornerback is undeniably one of them. While many believe the priority will be strengthening a depleted defensive front or planning for the future along the offensive line—especially with the team preparing to invest heavily in quarterback Brock Purdy—cornerback remains a position of focus.
A few recent mock drafts have projected Texas cornerback Jahdae Barron to the 49ers at No. 11. NFL Media analyst Daniel Jeremiah had Barron headed to the Niners in his latest mock draft, as did CBS Sports' Tom Fornelli in his first-round projections.
Now, longtime CBS Sports writer Pete Prisco has joined the list of those who believe the 49ers should target Barron with the No. 11 pick, citing the defensive back's versatility as a key factor.
"The 49ers lost a safety (Talanoa Hufanga) and a corner (Charvarius Ward) in free agency," Prisco explained in his first mock draft of the year. "So I have them opting to take a player who can play either spot or even the nickel if needed. Barron can do a lot of things."
Notably, in Prisco's mock, offensive linemen Will Campbell and Kelvin Banks Jr., along with defensive lineman Mason Graham, are off the board by the time the 49ers are on the clock.
With Ward's offseason departure, Deommodore Lenoir and last year's second-round pick, Renardo Green, are currently projected to be the 49ers' top two cornerbacks. It's not out of the question that the team could look to add another outside starter.
Pro Football Focus has Barron as the second-best cornerback on their big board.
"The word 'versatile' gets thrown around too much with defensive back prospects, but Barron is exactly that," Pro Football Focus wrote. "As a natural zone defender with excellent instincts and anticipation, he is a starting-caliber pro at safety, wide cornerback or nickel defender -- sometimes as all three in the same game -- for Cover 3- or quarters-heavy schemes."
Barron (5-11, 194) earned a 90.7 defensive grade last season, ranking second among cornerbacks nationwide. His 91.1 coverage grade also ranked second.
In 2024, Barron posted 67 tackles (three for a loss), a sack, 11 passes defensed, and five interceptions through 16 starts as a senior, per Sports Reference. Over his collegiate career, he tallied 226 tackles (21 for a loss), two sacks, 24 passes defensed, eight interceptions, two touchdowns, and a forced fumble.
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