Niner Noise
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Five 25-or-Under NFL Free Agents the 49ers Should Target

By Nicholas McGee

Jan 7, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans cornerback A.J. Bouye (21) and strong safety Corey Moore (43) and cornerback Johnathan Joseph (24) and defensive back Robert Nelson (32) celebrate an interception against the Oakland Raiders during the AFC Wild Card playoff football game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 7, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans cornerback A.J. Bouye (21) and strong safety Corey Moore (43) and cornerback Johnathan Joseph (24) and defensive back Robert Nelson (32) celebrate an interception against the Oakland Raiders during the AFC Wild Card playoff football game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals safety Tony Jefferson (22) celebrates a play against the New England Patriots at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Patriots defeated the Cardinals 23-21. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals safety Tony Jefferson (22) celebrates a play against the New England Patriots at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Patriots defeated the Cardinals 23-21. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Safety Tony Jefferson

The 49ers seemingly have depth at safety, with corner Jimmie Ward and Jaquiski Tartt serving as the reserves to Eric Reid and Antoine Bethea.

But Bethea will be 33 by the start of the 2017 season and began to show his age in 2016, the former Indianapolis Colt’s declining athleticism shown up as he was beaten deep with increasingly regularity throughout the season.

This is a talented draft class at the safety position, but the Niners could replace Bethea in free agency and weaken a division rival by signing Tony Jefferson.

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While the Cardinals struggled as a team in 2016, Jefferson flourished. He racked up 96 tackles, five passes defensed, two forced fumbles and two sacks.

A career year in which he excelled against both the run and the pass saw Jefferson end the year as Pro Football Focus‘ No. 5 safety.

Per PFF, Jefferson allowed just 24 catches for 171 yards on 44 targets and registered 35 defensive stops. And, at 25, on paper he has yet to reach his prime.

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It would be a wise move to make sure his prime is spent with the 49ers.