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49ers 2019 mock NFL Draft with Quinnen Williams (and a trade)

By Akshaj Dwivedula

SANTA CLARA, CA - JANUARY 07: Quinnen Williams #92 of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts against the Clemson Tigers in the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Levi's Stadium on January 7, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - JANUARY 07: Quinnen Williams #92 of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts against the Clemson Tigers in the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Levi's Stadium on January 7, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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CHAPEL HILL, NC – SEPTEMBER 26: Nasir Adderley #23 of the Delaware Fightin Blue Hens tackles Quinshad Davis #14 of the North Carolina Tar Heels during their game at Kenan Stadium on September 26, 2015 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. North Carolina won 41-14. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

Round 1, Pick 24: S Nasir Adderley

If this is the first-round haul the 49ers get, I don’t think any fan would complain. Then again, fans can argue over anything, so maybe that’s a stretch.

There is one major hole on the 49ers defense right now, and that would be the free safety position. Single-high is the most important position on the 49ers defense, a defense designed to allow short passes and stop the long ball. Adrian Colbert regressed from his stellar rookie year, while Jimmie Ward cannot stay healthy for an entire year.

The result: A 49ers defense that only had two takeaways and atrocious deep coverage. Delaware’s Nasir Adderley is as solid as a free safety can be, but adding him to an already young safety room only creates competition.

Matt Barr is right, steel does sharpen steel. And a true single-high safety could do a world of good. Even if the current safeties don’t rise to the occasion, the Niners still walk away with a pretty good starting safety.