The 49ers didn’t address their perceived needs in the secondary in the first three rounds of the NFL draft. Most pre-draft analysis had San Francisco scooping up a safety or cornerback in one of the draft’s first two days. Instead they opted for a pair of wide receivers, signaling confidence from the club in the defensive backs already on their roster.
It looked like the draft was shaping up well for San Francisco to snatch a high-quality safety or cornerback. They could’ve done so in either the second or third round. Given the players available, it’s hard to imagine the 49ers simply didn’t think very highly of the defensive backs on their draft board. The more likely scenario is that the coaching staff is confident in the safeties and corners on the roster.
A quick look at those positions shows a logjam of unproven talent. Richard Sherman figures to start at one corner spot. K’Waun Williams and DJ Reed will fight for the nickel corner job. Ahkello Witherspoon, Jason Verrett and Tarvarius Moore will all battle for the spot opposite Sherman. Witherspoon came on strong at the end of last year after a good rookie season, but got hurt late in the year. Moore filled in fine in his absence, but showed the warts expected of a player transitioning from safety. Verrett only has one fully healthy season out of five in the NFL, but he’s a Pro Bowl caliber talent when he is on the field.
Adding a top-end corner in the draft wasn’t exactly necessary given the potential they have at the position. The same goes for safety. Adrian Colbert struggled last year but was good to close out his rookie season in 2017. Jaquiski Tartt is a versatile player who’s good when he’s healthy. Reed can play free safety. Jimmie Ward returned on a one-year deal, and might be the team’s best free safety option. He’s been constantly injured through his five seasons as well with only one full season under his belt. Antone Exum Jr. can play both safety positions and returned on a free agent deal. Marcell Harris had a good handful of games last year as a rookie.
There are plenty of talented players at both safety and corner. This offseason will be the first time under head coach Kyle Shanahan that the 49ers will have a bona fide competition for roster spots and starting jobs in the secondary. The theory is that the untapped potential will rise out of necessity to earn a job.
If they are following that track, adding another body to the mix with a premium draft pick, especially with other gaping holes on the roster. The 49ers elected for two playmakers at wide receiver instead – their most glaring offensive weakness.
It’s also worth mentioning that San Francisco has addressed their deficiencies in the pass rush. Pressuring the quarterback should make life easier on their defensive backs as well. Another opportunity for their current group with an adequate pass rush is logical.
This doesn’t rule out the 49ers selecting a defensive back or two on Day 3 of the draft. They have a fourth-round pick, along with two sixth-round choices. It stands to reason they might try and scoop up a DB late.
For now, they’re standing pat with the players they have, and it’s a pretty significant vote of confidence that the 49ers didn’t add a high-end player to the competition in the secondary.
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