Niner Noise
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San Francisco 49ers: Way-too-soon and early mock 2020 NFL Draft

By Peter Panacy

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announces a draft pick by the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announces a draft pick by the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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KNOXVILLE, TN – NOVEMBER 18: Grant Delpit #9 of the LSU Tigers breaks up a pass intended for Brandon Johnson #7 of the Tennessee Volunteers during the second half at Neyland Stadium on November 18, 2017 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN – NOVEMBER 18: Grant Delpit #9 of the LSU Tigers breaks up a pass intended for Brandon Johnson #7 of the Tennessee Volunteers during the second half at Neyland Stadium on November 18, 2017 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

The 49ers essentially punted on addressing safety needs during the 2018 offseason, instead re-signing Jimmie Ward and hoping both he and third-year pro Adrian Colbert can shoulder the load this season.

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But the problem is Ward is back only on a one-year deal. And considering he has landed on injured reserve in four of his first five seasons at the pro level — he’s currently dealing with a broken collarbone this offseason — it’s hard to see Ward being a part of San Francisco’s long-term plans.

Colbert, meanwhile, went through a major regression in 2018 and might not be the long-term answer, either.

LSU has a long history of producing top-quality defensive backs, and it’s looking as if safety Grant Delpit is the next in line to live up to this accolade.

With five interceptions for the Tigers last season, Delpit has some ballhawk abilities. And while he might not have elite-level straight-line speed, he plays faster on tape and has excellent converging skills — traits necessary for a single-high safety.

San Francisco would arguably solve one of its biggest needs heading into 2020, grabbing one of the more promising defensive backs in next year’s NFL Draft class.