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2018 NFL Scouting Combine: 10 players who should be on 49ers’ radar

By Peter Panacy

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 05: Outside linebacker Jabrill Peppers of Michigan prepares to run the 40-yard dash during day five of the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 5, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 05: Outside linebacker Jabrill Peppers of Michigan prepares to run the 40-yard dash during day five of the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 5, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA – SEPTEMBER 02: Derwin James #3 of the Florida State Seminoles reacts after a play against the Alabama Crimson Tide during their game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on September 2, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – SEPTEMBER 02: Derwin James #3 of the Florida State Seminoles reacts after a play against the Alabama Crimson Tide during their game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on September 2, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

No. 7: S Derwin James, Florida State

6-foot-3, 211 pounds

Collegiate Stats

Safety isn’t exactly a pressing need for the 49ers this offseason, so taking a closer look at Florida State’s Derwin James at the NFL Scouting Combine might seem a bit counterproductive.

After all, the Niners still have three starting-caliber safeties — Jimmie Ward, Jaquiski Tartt and Adrian Colbert — even if the veteran, Eric Reid, departs via free agency. Still, both Ward and Tartt were lost to forearm injuries halfway through 2017.

And James might be too good a prospect to simply overlook.

James made CBS Sports’ Chris Trapasso’s 2018 big board, coming in as the No. 2 overall prospect heading into the combine. If you subscribe to the idea drafting the best player available is always a good move, James falling to San Francisco opens up a unique opportunity.

The defensive back has the ability to play all over the field. Considering how much a passing league the NFL is right now, combined with the 49ers’ question marks in the secondary, taking a harder look at James wouldn’t be a bad idea.

Especially if he falls to the bottom of the top 10.