San Francisco 49ers have spent extended time with potential small-school steal ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
As the NFL Draft draws ever closer, breadcrumbs continue to emerge that offer clues as to who the San Francisco 49ers might be targeting in Detroit later this month. San Francisco's still reasonably small reported list of top-30 visits is a clear indicator of the players who appear to be on the 49ers' radar. Shon […]
As the NFL Draft draws ever closer, breadcrumbs continue to emerge that offer clues as to who the San Francisco 49ers might be targeting in Detroit later this month.
San Francisco's still reasonably small reported list of top-30 visits is a clear indicator of the players who appear to be on the 49ers' radar.
Shon Stephens is not on that list, but the 49ers seem to have significant interest in the small-school cornerback.
Per Ryan Fowler of The Draft Network, Ferris State corner Stephens has spent "extended time" with the 49ers.
Stephens reportedly had hand-timed 40-yard dashes in the 4.3s at his pro day.
The cousin of Joey Porter Jr, who enjoyed an impressive rookie year for the Pittsburgh Steelers last season, Stephens had 16 interceptions across the last two seasons.
That kind of on-ball production will intrigue any team, even if it did come in Division II football.
Undersized at 5ft 8in and 185 pounds, Stephens may be limited to the slot at the highest level but any doubts about his frame are unlikely to deter a player who played in D-II after the NCAA denied him a waiver to play D-I despite interest from Penn State and Purdue. Stephens had left school to take care of his mother following a heart attack in 2020.
"The chip on my shoulder grew so much after I was denied the waiver for my mom’s health," Stephens explained to Justin Melo of The Draft Network. "I thought it was going to work out. I thought the NCAA would understand. It lit a fire under me.
"I know how to overcome adversity. I’ve been through so much. I’m going to help the team overcome challenges. No matter my position in life, I never stopped fighting."
That fight has put him in a position where a host of NFL teams are interested, and Stephens' combination of on-ball production and determination has unsurprisingly attracted the attention of a 49ers team with a need at the slot corner position.
San Francisco has unearthed a host of late-round gems over the years in the draft. There seems to be at least a chance they will try to make Stephens another in 2024.
