Niner Noise
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2018 NFL Draft: 5 prospects the 49ers can target with their first pick

By Peter Panacy

ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 03: Minkah Fitzpatrick #29 of the Alabama Crimson Tide returns an interception for a touchdown against the Florida Gators in the first quarter during the SEC Championship game at the Georgia Dome on December 3, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 03: Minkah Fitzpatrick #29 of the Alabama Crimson Tide returns an interception for a touchdown against the Florida Gators in the first quarter during the SEC Championship game at the Georgia Dome on December 3, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA – DECEMBER 03: Minkah Fitzpatrick #29 of the Alabama Crimson Tide returns an interception for a touchdown as Brandon Powell #4 of the Florida Gators defends in the first quarter during the SEC Championship game at the Georgia Dome on December 3, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – DECEMBER 03: Minkah Fitzpatrick #29 of the Alabama Crimson Tide returns an interception for a touchdown as Brandon Powell #4 of the Florida Gators defends in the first quarter during the SEC Championship game at the Georgia Dome on December 3, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

No. 4: Defensive Back Minkah Fitzpatrick, Alabama

6-foot-1, 202 pounds, Junior

While linebacker might not be a pressing need, the secondary certainly is in the NFL Draft.

Especially at cornerback, where the 49ers are likely going to let No. 2 corner Dontae Johnson walk, as he hits free agency. Pro Football Focus ranked Johnson the No. 119 cornerback out of 122 qualifiers, so there isn’t much of a reason to bring him back aside from depth.

The Niners have developed one true starting corner, Ahkello Witherspoon, who’ll assume a same role next year. But another is needed.

Alabama’s Minkah Fitzpatrick is a player to watch here. At 6-foot-1 and 202 pounds, Fitzpatrick emerged from the Crimson Tide’s NCAA championship season as one of the best defensive backs in the nation. While playing a lot of safety in college, his natural skill set translates well over to cornerback. He has solid one-on-one skills, tailor made for man-to-man coverages implemented by defensive coordinator Robert Saleh.

In his first mock NFL Draft of the season, ESPN’s Todd McShay ended up giving the 49ers Fitzpatrick with the team’s first pick. That selection was at No. 4, where the Niners were then projected to draft. But with a number of teams now ahead of San Francisco in draft order likely looking at quarterback, Fitzpatrick to the Niners remains a serious possibility.

It would be a smart move too. Fitzpatrick is about as close a plug-and-play starter there is for a secondary in this year’s draft class.