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49ers 2019 NFL free agency plans: Latest news, rumors and reports

By Peter Panacy

SAN FRANCISCO - DECEMBER 14: A San Francisco 49ers helmet sits on the field prior to their game against the Arizona Cardinals at Candlestick Park on December 14, 2009 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO - DECEMBER 14: A San Francisco 49ers helmet sits on the field prior to their game against the Arizona Cardinals at Candlestick Park on December 14, 2009 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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LANDOVER, MD – DECEMBER 30: Ha Ha Clinton-Dix #20 of the Washington Redskins takes a knee against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second half at FedExField on December 30, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD – DECEMBER 30: Ha Ha Clinton-Dix #20 of the Washington Redskins takes a knee against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second half at FedExField on December 30, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

Pro Football Focus Suggests 49ers Should Sign Safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, not Earl Thomas

While soon-to-be former Seattle Seahawks safety Earl Thomas is a top favorite among 49ers fan circles in NFL free agency, the folks over at Pro Football Focus (h/t ESPN) suggest another option.

Washington Redskins safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix.

More from SF 49ers Free Agency

Here’s what PFF had to say about this Tier 2 option regarding San Francisco and a would-be Clinton-Dix pairing:

"Clinton-Dix bounced from the Packers to [Washington] in 2018 and finished the season strong for Washington over the last nine games. His release came on the heels of great performances in coverage and in run defense, as he was the league’s 16th-highest-graded safety just from his time in Washington. Clinton-Dix has more than proved to be a movable chess piece across the defensive formation but does his best work at free safety. He would be an instant upgrade for the 49ers, who didn’t have a safety finish with a top-50 grade at the position last season."

The Niners used seven different safeties over the course of 2018, and two-year pro Adrian Colbert finished as PFF’s worst starting safety before landing on injured reserve with an ankle injury.

A deep free-agent market at safety could lower the 29-year-old Thomas’ asking price to a point. But he’ll still be one of the more sought-after free agents this offseason. Clinton-Dix, meanwhile, likely would be a far cheaper option, yet still provide the much-needed upgrade San Francisco would like to get at the position.