2021 NFL Draft: The SEC is back in this 2-round mock draft
Derion Kendrick. 28. Pick Analysis. CB. Clemson. player. 42. Scouting Report
The San Francisco 49ers wound up with two first-round picks in the 2020 NFL Draft and used them on Arizona State wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk and South Carolina defensive lineman Javon Kinlaw.
Kinlaw was brought in as a replacement for DeForest Buckner on the defensive line, and a player like Clemson’s Derion Kendrick could be an eventual replacement for the aging Richard Sherman.
Sherman has not been able to consistently stay healthy over the last four years, missing six games in his final year with the Seahawks and now missing four games in the last three seasons with the 49ers.
At the age of 33 in 2021, the 49ers might consider going young at this position anyway.
Derion Kendrick had 43 tackles and two interceptions a season ago for Clemson but he’s been disciplined by Dabo Swinney and Clemson to open the 2020 season. We’ll have to see what that’s all about as time goes along, but there’s no doubt that he’s a first-round talent at the cornerback position who is still growing into his craft.