Anthony Treash of Pro Football Focus released the latest mock draft for the analytics site and has the San Francisco 49ers targeting cornerback with their first of nine selections—currently No. 61 overall.
The 49ers lack a first-round selection due to last year's trade to move up and select Trey Lance with the No. 3 overall pick. That left San Francisco without a first-round pick until 2024.
Treash has the Niners selecting cornerback Martin Emerson of Mississippi State.
"Emerson would fit nicely into San Francisco's defense," Treash wrote. "He isn't the most gifted athlete, but he can give some receivers fits at the line of scrimmage in press zone with his 33.5-inch arms.
"Emerson's length also helps him at the catch point, as his 14 pass breakups since 2020 can attest. While there's some rightful concern about his athletic shortcomings, he understands the game, brings a physical presence and has strong production in college football's most difficult conference. At the end of Round 2, that's worth betting on."
In free agency, the 49ers acquired cornerback Charvarius Ward and have Emmanuel Moseley slated to start opposite the new defensive back. In last year's draft, the team drafted two cornerbacks—Ambry Thomas and Deommodore Lenoir. Longtime nickel corner K'Waun Williams signed with the Denver Broncos this offseason.
Emerson (6' 1 5/8", 201 at the Combine) registered 49 tackles, three tackles for a loss, and three passes defensed through 12 game appearances as a junior in 2021, per Sports Reference. He recorded 152 tackles, six tackles for a loss, 15 passes defensed, an interception, and a forced fumble through his three collegiate seasons.
Emerson recorded a 40-time of 4.53 seconds at the NFL Scouting Combine.
