The San Francisco 49ers have a track record of uncovering talent in the undrafted free agent market, and Cooper believes BYU cornerback Jakob Robinson could be their next hidden gem. The selection appears to be tied to uncertainty surrounding the 49ers' current cornerback group as they head into the 2025 season.
"The 49ers are set to field one of the shakiest cornerback groups on paper in the NFL, so perhaps the team has high hopes for Robinson, their lone UDFA signing at cornerback," Cooper wrote.
Robinson tallied 102 tackles, seven interceptions, and a touchdown over his final two seasons at BYU. He'll join a cornerback group that includes Deommodore Lenoir, Renardo Green, and third-round draft pick Upton Stout, a rookie out of Western Kentucky.
"Robinson earned a 65.0-plus PFF coverage grade in all but one of his four seasons at BYU, and he didn't allow a passer rating above 100.0 in coverage in any of those campaigns," Cooper continued. "In the Cougars' bowl-game win over Colorado, he limited LaJohntay Wester and Jimmy Horn Jr. to two catches for 3 yards. And Arizona's Tetairoa McMillan, the No. 8 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, didn't secure a catch when matched up with Robinson in BYU's Week 7 win."
The young cornerback posted a 74.4 defensive grade, 69.9 run-defense grade, and 72.5 coverage grade in 2024—all career highs. The 49ers hope they've uncovered another hidden gem in Robinson.
Related News
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
49ers roster battles: The undrafted rookie sleepers to watch
Every year, one or two undrafted rookies force the San Francisco 49ers to rethink their roster. From Matt Breida and Emmanuel Moseley to Jordan Mason, Jeff Wilson, Jr., and Azeez Al-Shaair, the 49ers have seen rookies earn opportunities after entering the league without hearing... -
Robert Saleh names 49ers' biggest rookie surprise from last season
The San Francisco 49ers invested heavily in their defense during the 2025 NFL Draft, using six of their 11 selections on defensive players, including each of their first five picks. One rookie, however, stood out more than the rest to former 49ers defensive coordinator Robert... -
49ers' Deommodore Lenoir among PFF's make-or-break players for 2026
Pro Football Focus (PFF) wasn't particularly impressed with San Francisco 49ers cornerback Deommodore Lenoir's 2025 season. The veteran earned a 60.3 overall defensive grade from the analytics site—his lowest since his rookie campaign. His 65.7 coverage grade marked his... -
49ers defense: PFF praises the underrated move that changes everything
The San Francisco 49ers' acquisition of veteran wide receiver Mike Evans dominated offseason headlines. However, Pro Football Focus (PFF) believes another move deserves far more attention: the trade for defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa. According to PFF's Bradley Locker,...