49ers: 5 players San Francisco should have targeted in 2019 NFL Draft

5 players the 49ers should have targeted in the 2019 NFL Draft

EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 10: Justin Layne #2 of the Michigan State Spartans breaks up a pass next to Terry McLaurin #83 of the Ohio State Buckeyes during the first half at Spartan Stadium on November 10, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

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BATON ROUGE, LA – NOVEMBER 03: Deionte Thompson #14 of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts after the LSU Tigers missed a second half field goal at Tiger Stadium on November 3, 2018 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Alabama won the game 29-0. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Like the offensive line, the 49ers’ situation at safety is also pretty questionable heading into 2019.

Most particularly at free safety.

Yes, the Niners have two veterans competing for the starting job here, Adrian Colbert and Jimmie Ward. But Ward has a notable injury history, while Colbert will need to bounce back from a disappointing 2018 campaign.

San Francisco has been signing Ward’s praises the past two years, and Colbert could enjoy a resurgence of sorts. Yet adding some depth, especially if it allowed the 49ers to move on from Ward, would have been a good idea.

It was awfully strange to see Alabama safety Deionte Thompson fall out of Round 2. Some mocks even had him a first-round target. Him going in Round 5, No. 139 overall to the Arizona Cardinals, was a complete steal for the Niners’ NFC West division rivals.

Maybe the 49ers should have considered Thompson instead of a punter in the fourth round.