49ers’ 7-round mock 2019 NFL Draft with Josh Allen in Round 1
By Peter Panacy
Defense better be the top priority for John Lynch in this NFL Draft, especially after the 49ers allowed 435 points in 2018 — fifth most in the league. And perhaps no other position group was as big a weakness as the secondary, which Pro Football Focus ranked dead last in 2018.
San Francisco 49ers
The Niners could stand for another boundary corner or two. But after San Francisco fielded a total of seven different starting safeties over the course of last season, one would like Lynch to find a long-term solution atop the defense.
Right now, the 49ers have penciled in defensive backs Jimmie Ward and Adrian Colbert for free safety. Ward, who has landed on injured reserve in four of his first five seasons, is only around for one more year, while Colbert regressed significantly after his impressive 2017 rookie campaign.
Enter Mississippi State’s Johnathan Abram.
At 5-foot-11 and 205 pounds, Abram might be a bit undersized to effectively hold down the last level of defense. As a true center fielder, though, Abram is about as promising as it gets in this year’s NFL Draft. He’s rangy and capable of making the big play, evidenced by his 99 total tackles a year ago.
San Francisco needs players who are regularly around the ball, and Abram fits the bill.