Niner Noise
FanSided

2018 NFL Draft: Two-round mock for all 32 teams across the league

By Peter Panacy

PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 27: Commissioner of the National Football League Roger Goodell speaks during the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft at the Philadelphia Museum of Art on April 27, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 27: Commissioner of the National Football League Roger Goodell speaks during the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft at the Philadelphia Museum of Art on April 27, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
10 of 34
Next
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) /

42. . Defensive Back. Florida State. Derwin James. 9. player

The San Francisco 49ers are yet another team with pretty big pass-rushing needs, and they also wished Quenton Nelson would have fallen a bit further in the NFL Draft.

With a few pressing needs of their own, and no clear-cut choice here, the Niners are simply forced to go with the best player available.

And that is Florida State defensive back Derwin James.

True, the Niners grabbed cornerback Richard Sherman quickly in free agency. But he’s 30 years old and coming off a serious Achilles injury. Meanwhile, safeties Jaquiski Tartt and Jimmie Ward are entering contract years.

James is capable of playing both safety spots while also doubling as a cornerback. While he might be entering something of a crowded defensive backfield in 2018, his long-term impact would be pretty amazing.