Draft Watch: 49ers will host Mississippi State CB Decamerion Richardson

San Francisco continues evaluating cornerbacks from the incoming draft class, aiming to bolster its defensive backfield by adding either a future outside starter opposite Charvarius Ward or a slot contributor.

Richardson posted 79 tackles, including one for a loss, a sack, and seven passes defensed in 12 game appearances as a senior in 2023, per Sports Reference. Throughout his collegiate career, he amassed 177 tackles, including two for a loss, a sack, and 10 passes defensed over four seasons, primarily playing on the outside.

"Two-year starting cornerback with outstanding physical features but below-average coverage features," Lance Zierlein wrote in the player's NFL.com scouting report. "He's leggy with below-average lateral transitions and change of direction in space. Richardson doesn't play with enough anticipation or short-area burst to make plays on the ball but does have a big make-up gear in a straight line. He's OK as a tackler but should get better with a greater focus in that department."

At the NFL Scouting Combine, the 6' 2 1/4" and 188-pound Richardson posted a 40-yard dash time of 4.34 seconds, a vertical jump of 35 inches, and a broad jump of 10 feet, 8 inches.

Richardson earned career-high overall (86.4), run-defense (72.8), tackling (90.3), and coverage (86.5) grades last season from analytics site Pro Football Focus. When targeting the defensive back, opposing quarterbacks had a passer rating of 90.1.

Zierlein adds, "Richardson's size and top-end speed will immediately garner attention, but he doesn't appear to have the skill set to play safety and will be limited by a narrow scheme fit."

Visit our pre-draft tracker for a comprehensive overview of all reported formal and informal meetings between the 49ers and prospective NFL rookies.

The 2024 NFL Draft will take place in Detroit, Michigan, from Thursday, April 25, through Saturday, April 27.