Niner Noise
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5 prospects the 49ers should watch at the 2018 East-West Shrine Game

By Peter Panacy

ST. PETERSBURG, FL - JANUARY 21: West's Eli McGuire #1 of Louisiana-Lafayette finds room to run during the third quarter of the East-West Shrine Game at Tropicana Field on January 21, 2017, in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Joseph Garnett, Jr. /Getty Images)
ST. PETERSBURG, FL - JANUARY 21: West's Eli McGuire #1 of Louisiana-Lafayette finds room to run during the third quarter of the East-West Shrine Game at Tropicana Field on January 21, 2017, in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Joseph Garnett, Jr. /Getty Images) /
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ORLANDO, FL – DECEMBER 28: Safety Tre Flowers #31 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys attempts to tackle quarterback Josh Jackson #17 of the Virginia Tech Hokies on December 28, 2017 at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL – DECEMBER 28: Safety Tre Flowers #31 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys attempts to tackle quarterback Josh Jackson #17 of the Virginia Tech Hokies on December 28, 2017 at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images) /

No. 2: Safety Tre Flowers, Oklahoma State

Projected Draft Position: Round 5/6

The 49ers managed to find a gem in the late rounds of the 2017 NFL Draft, picking up former Miami (FL) defensive back Adrian Colbert in Round 7, who went on to handle starting duties at free safety following a season-ending injury to the veteran, Jimmie Ward.

With fellow safety Eric Reid heading towards free agency, it’s possible the Niners roll the dice again late in the draft, hoping to land another standout here.

Oklahoma State’s Tre Flowers, who is on the list of 49ers-interviewed players, is one such player to watch. At 6-foot-3 and 200 pounds, Flowers definitely has size and length on his side. Adding a bit more muscle to his frame would likely make him a nice fit as a strong safety, where he’d back up the likely starter for 2018, Jaquiski Tartt, who was also lost to injured reserve last year.

But there are some scouting reports listing him as “rangy,” suggesting he’d be able to adequately handle middle-of-the-field duties up top too. That’s a bonus.

Safety looks to be filled for San Francisco this upcoming season, but depth is a question mark. Especially with Reid possibly on the way out.

If Flowers has a strong performance, it wouldn’t be a shock to see him a target.