Why the 49ers should avoid Derwin James in Round 1 of the 2018 NFL Draft
A lot of analysts believe the San Francisco 49ers could select safety Derwin James with their ninth-overall selection in the 2018 NFL Draft. Niner Noise takes a look at why the 49ers should avoid James instead.
The San Francisco 49ers hold the ninth overall selection in the 2018 NFL Draft. By now, there are many different directions draft analysts believe the team will take when making their selection. In a draft top-heavy with quarterbacks, the 49ers will almost assuredly come away with a top-five positional talent at No. 9.
But who should the 49ers take when they’re on the clock?
The 49ers will take the best player on their board. The Faithful should have the utmost confidence in general manager John Lynch and his team to make the right choice. But, in case Lynch needs help (he doesn’t, but I’ll help out because I love draft analysis), the 49ers should avoid safety Derwin James of Florida State.
James is a fabulous player. In fact, while most analysts believe Alabama’s Minkah Fitzpatrick is the best safety prospect in the entire draft, James is the better player.
At 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds, James is a freak. James ran his 40-yard dash in 4.47 seconds, made a vertical leap of 40 inches and jumped 132 inches (11 feet) in the broad jump. According to NFL.com, the former Florida State standout also bench pressed 225 pounds 21 times.
Athletically there aren’t many players that compare. The Niners could be well served taking James, but there is already a Derwin James on their roster.
He goes by Jaquiski Tartt.
First off, Tartt has similar stature and ability to James. He stands 6-foot-2, 221 pounds. Tartt also ran two 40-yard dashes at his pro day workout. One happened to be a 4.47, according to his NFL.com draft profile.
More from Niner Noise
- 49ers 2023 NFL Draft tracker: Pick-by-pick news and analysis
- Predicting 49ers NFL Draft picks by looking at final mocks
- DraftKings NFL Draft Promo – Win $150 Guaranteed on Any $5 Bet
- 2023 NFL Draft: EDGE Byron Young could be impact player for 49ers
- 5 low-key NFL Draft options for 49ers who are flying under the radar
Tartt is also an inch shorter than James but weighs six more pounds. Imagine that their height-weight ratio was equal. James would need to weigh 230 pounds, or Tartt 205 pounds, for this to be the case. Looking at things that way, Tartt’s 33-inch vertical and 10 feet, 3-inch broad jump don’t see too far off James’ numbers.
Finally, Tartt was one of Pro Football Focus’ best NFL safeties in 2017. His 85.8 grade is considered high quality by their simple chart. On Nov. 7, 2017, Zach Aulakh wrote an interesting article entitled, 49ers S Jaquiski Tartt has promising season ended due to injury.
In his article, Aulakh points out that Tartt was the 10th ranked player at his position. He also wrote about safety Eric Reid’s move to linebacker saying, “Tartt’s production prompted the 49ers to move Reid to linebacker after his return from injury.”
With second-year safety Adrian Colbert taking over at free safety, Richard Sherman coming in to man a starting corner spot and Ahkello Witherspoon’s continued development at the other, the 49ers secondary seems to be shaping up well going into 2018. Ka’Waun Williams is a good nickel corner and Jimmie Ward will be depth at corner as well.
It seems as though San Francisco has an abundance of talent in the secondary, and lacks a need there.
Next: Richard Sherman's value to 49ers well beyond the field
Following up on avoiding James, the 49ers should draft guard Quenton Nelson from Notre Dame. Or, maybe linebacker Tremaine Edmunds from Virginia Tech. Even someone like defensive end Harold Landry out of Boston College would be good, despite meaning the fourth-straight first-round defensive lineman selection by the front office.
As long as it isn’t James, the Faithful should be happy with this pick.