© Trevor Ruszkowski | 2020 Feb 28
According to most draft “experts,” the consensus is that the 49ers will select one of the top three receivers in the upcoming draft unless they are all taken before San Francisco selects at No. 13 overall. NFL.com analyst Charles Davis is not most draft experts, however, and told Tolbert, Krueger & Brooks on Monday why he has the 49ers moving in a different direction, and selecting cornerback C.J. Henderson out of Florida.
“I looked at it this way: The biggest play in the Super Bowl was probably that third-and-15,” Davis said. “On that play…that was a big muff by Emmanuel Moseley.
“A lot of people look at the safety position and they shored that up after Jimmie Ward re-signed and (Jaquiski) Tartt should be healthy next year. But I think that corner opposite Richard Sherman and also planning for down the road, because Richard Sherman is 32-33 years old, coming off the Achilles. He has been phenomenal, but you have to plan for these types of positions.
“I think Henderson with that great coverage ability, a chance to get mentored by Richard Sherman, that fits well in that spot. Obviously could they go wide receiver and add a (Henry) Ruggs? Might be irresistible for them and I could understand why they’d do it.”
Davis believes Jerry Jeudy and CeeDee Lamb will both be selected before San Francisco drafts, and that they’ll elect to pass on Ruggs at No. 13. Most mocks have the 49ers going with a receiver first and taking a defensive back with their pick at No. 31.
Henderson was named First-Team All-SEC by the coaches last year. Here’s a brief scouting report via Draft Wire:
A fluid, lengthy and intelligent cornerback with Day 1 starting potential, Henderson should be high in demand when the draft rolls around. Given how he put to bed speed concerns (which probably shouldn’t have existed to begin with) with a 4.39 40-yard dash, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him drafted in the top half of the first round.
Listen to the interview below.
