The 49ers season ended Sunday in Los Angeles against a Rams team that is playoff-bound and rested many starters. If there is any benefit to missing the playoffs, it’s that the 49ers personnel department can now turn its attention to the next NFL draft.

The team is continuing a rebuilding process that was accelerated with the midseason trade for presumed franchise QB Jimmy Garoppolo. Now, with a quarterback to lead the young team, general manager John Lynch can address other needs to build a formidable team in a competitive NFC West. The 49ers lost 10 of their first 11 games before ripping off an impressive five-game win streak to end the season at 6-10.

Just a month ago, it appeared the 49ers were destined for another top-3 selection. The wins have dropped them in draft order but have done wonders in drumming up fan enthusiasm. Sitting at the ninth or 10th pick (they’ll flip a coin with the Raiders), here are realistic options when Lynch and his staff are on the clock….

Joshua Jackson (6-1, 192) | CB | Iowa

The 49ers defense has youth at all levels and, while 2017 saw significant improvements from young players, the lack of cornerback depth was clear. Rookie Ahkello Witherspoon, who began the season as the third cornerback, finished the year as the team’s most reliable coverage defender. Witherspoon’s development is encouraging, but highlights a need for the team to find another player that can hold his own as a boundary corner.

Jackson has ideal size for the 49ers’ Cover-3 scheme. He’s an aggressive defender that plays with physicality at the line of scrimmage and length down the field to make plays. Jackson spent 2017 making plays weekly for Iowa, finishing the season with eight interceptions with three coming in the upset against Ohio State. Jackson’s just a junior, and there’s no guarantee he’ll declare for the draft, but he’ll be among the draft’s best cornerbacks if he declares.