Potential first-rounder's pro day could have big influence on the San Francisco 49ers' draft plans
It's no secret that the San Francisco 49ers need to address the cornerback position this offseason, whether that's via the draft or free agency. The 49ers have two strong starters in All-Pro Charvarius Ward and Deommodore Lenoir, but there is a hole at the nickel corner spot, while the 49ers' depth behind their top two […]
It's no secret that the San Francisco 49ers need to address the cornerback position this offseason, whether that's via the draft or free agency.
The 49ers have two strong starters in All-Pro Charvarius Ward and Deommodore Lenoir, but there is a hole at the nickel corner spot, while the 49ers' depth behind their top two continues to be shaky.
Despite internal confidence in 2023 fifth-round pick Darrell Luter Jr, it would be a huge surprise to see the 49ers come out of the offseason without at least one addition in the secondary, and Missouri's Ennis Rakestraw Jr. is seen as a potential first-round solution for San Francisco.
A disappointing Combine
The 49ers met informally with Rakestraw during last week's NFL Combine, but may have been underwhelmed by his performance in the workouts in Indianapolis, where he clocked a 40-yard dash time of 4.54 seconds to go with a 10ft broad jump.
For his part, Rakestraw was reported by ESPN's Jordan Reid to be nursing a groin injury and plans retest entirely at Missouri's pro day this month.
That could, therefore, be a significant day in the draft process for the 49ers, given his excellent potential fit in the San Francisco defense.
Versatile and scheme diverse
Rakestraw is a scheme diverse corner who can play inside and out. He is an extremely physical press corner who uses his hands well to stay in phase, his aggressiveness extending to his play at the catch point.
At the same time, Rakestraw is excellent in zone, playing with impressive eyes to the football and consistently communicating well before and during the snap.
He is constantly aware of where he needs to be and the vision with which he plays, combined with the drive he gets on the ball, allows Rakestraw not only to force incompletions but to limit completions to short gains.
In man coverage, Rakestaw is patient to turn his hips but is fluid when he does so and has demonstrated the speed to be able to recover separation and the stop-start quickness to stay in tight coverage against curls and comebacks as well as double moves.
Aggressive in run support and technically sound as a tackler, the only box Rakestraw does not tick for the 49ers is on-ball production in terms of interceptions. He only recorded one in his four seasons at Missouri, though he did record 24 pass breakups in that time.
The problem with his disappointing Combine is that his long speed, agility and explosiveness was not reflected by his workout.
As such, Rakestraw's draft stock and his potential hopes of being picked by the 49ers 31st overall could hinge significantly on what he does at the Tigers' facility in two weeks. The 49ers will undoubtedly be in attendance, and what they see from a corner who would be a perfect scheme fit may well decide their direction with San Francisco's first opening-round pick since 2021.
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