The 49ers Draft Nickelback Upton Stout in Round 3

This is an extremely interesting pick.

Feb 28, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Western Kentucky defensive back Upton Stout (DB30) runs in the 40 yard dash during the 2025 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

This is an extremely interesting pick.

The 49ers just took Western Kentucky nickelback Upton Stout in Round 3 with the 100th pick. Stout is 5'8", which means he almost certainly is too short to play outside in the NFL. He's a slot cornerback only. And he was projected to get drafted in Rounds 5 or 6 by most scouting services.

But he ran a 4.44 at the NFL Scouting Combine, he's extremely aggressive and he plays with no fear. In that sense, he fits the 49ers' nickelback profile to a tee. The fact that he's so short isn't a knock against him. For years, the 49ers nickelback was K'Waun Williams who's 5'9'".

After Round 3, I asked John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan if Stout reminds them of Williams. In unison, they both said, "Yes."

Williams was effective in zone coverage, he was a fearless tackler and he was a surprisingly effective blitzer because opposing blockers and quarterbacks couldn't see him -- he was too short. That's why his nickname was The Shark. He would sneak up on you and bite you.

Stout has the exact same skill set, except he's a bit shorter and a bit faster than Williams was when he came out of college. If anyone would know how to use a unique player such as Stout, it's Kyle Shanahan and defensive coordinator Robert Saleh who probably had a big hand in making this selection.

So was this pick a reach? Probably. But if Stout becomes the starting nickelback, this pick will be worth it.

Grade: B-plus