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

By Peter Panacy

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)
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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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)
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) /

Remember all that talk about safeties and the 49ers secondary? Well, the same rule applies, only a bit earlier than Deionte Thompson.

It would have been tough for the Niners to grab Delaware safety Nasir Adderley, who ended up going No. 60 overall in Round 2 to the Los Angeles Chargers. San Francisco would have either had to trade down from No. 36 overall, potentially passing on Deebo Samuel (not a good idea) or figure out a way to trade up from its third-round pick, No. 67 overall, which seems a lot more feasible.

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Either way, Adderley would have been an excellent pickup for the 49ers.

Adderley, despite his small-school pedigree, has the ranginess ideal for San Francisco’s Cover 3 zone defense. His instincts are top notch for a true center-field safety, and Adderley has arguably the best coverage skills of any safety from this year’s NFL Draft class. That stems from his prior duties at nickel cornerback.

Question the fit? Well, the Chargers operate a nearly identical defensive system as the 49ers. Remember, Los Angeles’ defensive coordinator, Gus Bradley, stems from the same Seattle Seahawks coaching tree as the Niners’ Robert Saleh.

Instead, Adderley will team up with Chargers All-Pro strong safety Derwin James, comprising one of the most intriguing and potent defensive backfields in the league entering 2019.

Next. NFL power rankings: Post-2019 NFL Draft breakdown for each team. dark

The Niners probably wish they had something similar.