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San Francisco 49ers: Previewing the 2019 NFL Draft market at safety

By Peter Panacy

DURHAM, NC - OCTOBER 20: Juan Thornhill #21 of the Virginia Cavaliers inbtercepts a pass intended for Johnathan Lloyd #5 of the Duke Blue Devils during their game at Wallace Wade Stadium on October 20, 2018 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
DURHAM, NC - OCTOBER 20: Juan Thornhill #21 of the Virginia Cavaliers inbtercepts a pass intended for Johnathan Lloyd #5 of the Duke Blue Devils during their game at Wallace Wade Stadium on October 20, 2018 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
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MADISON, WI – OCTOBER 21: Troy Fumagalli #81 of the Wisconsin Badgers is brought down by Darnell Savage Jr. #4 of the Maryland Terrapins during the second quarter at Camp Randall Stadium on October 21, 2017 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MADISON, WI – OCTOBER 21: Troy Fumagalli #81 of the Wisconsin Badgers is brought down by Darnell Savage Jr. #4 of the Maryland Terrapins during the second quarter at Camp Randall Stadium on October 21, 2017 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

Day 3 Safety Prospects for the 49ers

We’re getting into fringe prospects here — day-three selections, who’ll either at least be given a chance to compete with Jimmie Ward and Adrian Colbert, or possibly wind up being draft-and-develop players capable of taking over in 2020 or later.

San Francisco owns a pick in Round 4, No. 104 overall, and two picks in Round 6, Nos. 176 and 212.

Darnell Savage Jr., Maryland

It’s possible Maryland safety Darnell Savage Jr. winds up going late on day two of the NFL Draft. More likely, though, he’ll slip into the early phases of Round 4, largely due to his smallish 5-foot-11, 198-pound frame, which might not withstand a lot of rigorous tackling duties.

Still, that frame ran an outstanding 4.36 40-yard time at the NFL Scouting Combine, and his sheer closing speed makes him an enticing day-three target.

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Seven interceptions his last two college seasons should garner attention, too.

Marquise Blair, Utah

The next player on San Francisco’s free safety big board is Utah’s Marquise Blair, who had experience playing free and strong safeties, as well as handling nickel cornerback duties.

Blair’s ranginess is what makes him an upside late-round prospect for free safety, though, as he has arguably the best reaction and instincts among all day-three prospects at this spot. That said, his over-aggressiveness could make him something of a risk.

Lukas Denis, Boston College

If the 49ers are looking for depth only, Boston College’s Lukas Denis might be a player to watch.

Denis’ 5-foot-11, 190-pound frame is going to turn off a lot of scouts, as he likely won’t be able to withstand the rigors of being an everyday starter. And his 4.64 40-yard time at the NFL Scouting Combine doesn’t bode well for his sideline-to-sideline skills either.

That said, he’s a versatile defensive back and might be one of those hybrid defenders teams covet to back up multiple positions.

Next. 49ers' post-free agency 2019 NFL Draft mock. dark

If the Niners are looking for a would-be starter at free safety, either in 2019 or 2020, John Lynch might want to consider using a day-two pick. There are some solid options in Rounds 4 through 7, however the upsides for each fall well short of what could be found in the second and third rounds.

The 2019 NFL Draft kicks off on Thursday, April 25 at 8 p.m. ET.