Why 49ers draft pick Stout is more than meets the eye at nickel

SANTA CLARA — The 49ers selected their fourth defensive player of the 2025 NFL Draft at No. 100 overall, selecting Upton Stout from Western Kentucky.The defensive back isn't the biggest in stature at 5-foot-9 and 181 pounds, but area scout Warren Ball told 49ers general manager John Lynch and coach Kyle Shanahan that Stout plays with the heart of a lion."I feel like you always have to have the heart of a lion no matter what size you are," Stout said via video conference. "It's just like, you have to have that mindset every time you step on the field, and I just feel like every time I step on the field, you're going to get the best of me, and I feel like that's what comes out is like the heart of a lion."The 49ers have been on the hunt for a true nickelback since the departure of K'Waun Williams after the 2021 NFL season. Shanahan is happy with how well Deommodore Lenoir has played both inside and outside but believes adding Stout will be the best for all involved."We're going to still play it out," Shanahan said. "I think DMo is great inside, I think he's great outside. We probably see Upton definitely as an inside player. So, that was a big need. The way it fell, especially in...