49ers are Drafting Cornerback Darrell Luter Jr. With the No. 155 Pick

The 49ers are adding secondary depth by drafting cornerback Darrell Luter Jr. out of South Alabama.

Depth in the secondary is always needed.

The 49ers are drafting South Alabama cornerback Darrell Luter Jr. with the No. 155 pick in the fifth-round. This is the pick that the 49ers acquired in a trade with the Dolphins for running back Jeff Wilson Jr. back in October.

Drafting corners is a must every year for every team. Finding a solid one is difficult to find, so the 49ers make it consecutive years now by taking a cornerback. Last year they took Samuel Womack III and Tariq Castro-Fields. Now they follow up with Luter to see if he can become a role player this year and a future key contributor.

Luter was a senior in the 2022 season where he played in 13 games. He registered one interception, seven passes defended, and 42 total tackles. In his three seasons at South Alabama, he played in 31 games where he tallied a career total of five interceptions, 18 passes defensed, and 91 tackles.

Here is an overview of what Luter brings to the 49ers according to NFL analyst Lance Zierlein.

"Long-limbed press-cover cornerback with the ball skills and physicality to challenge receivers outside the numbers. Luter can be a little leggy in his transitions and burst to the football, but his length helps make up for that and creates pass breakups. Louisiana-Monroe attacked him with back-shoulder throws all game, which is something to keep an eye on in the pros. He’s going to be more effective in press-and-shadow coverage than he is playing Cover 3 or off-man. His ball production dipped in 2022, but his length and playing style fit the NFL game."

Luter is a great fit for what defensive coordinator Steve Wilks wants to do with his scheme as he runs a lot of zone with sprinkles of man. But expect Luter to be a special teams role player with the hope he can vie for a backup spot at cornerback.