5 college players the 49ers should watch for the 2020 NFL Draft

The 49ers chose not to significantly upgrade their stocks at defensive back, to the puzzlement of some. Outside of the EDGE positions, the secondary was seen the significant weakness of the Niners defense and arguably the whole team.

The reasoning is simple. San Francisco invested early picks in defensive backs Ahkello Witherspoon and Tarvarius Moore, while seeing some promising play in later picks, like D.J. Reed and Marcell Harris.

Fair enough.

However, if the 49ers still see uncertainly at safety, especially considering both positions are often in a state of flux with injuries and poor play plaguing them, the strong group of defensive backs in the 2020 draft will come into play.

Isaiah Simmons is a strong prospect in the draft class who could be picked in the top half of the first round. A natural strong safety, Simmons is an instinctive defender who roams all over the field and hits hard.

Simmons has already been mocked to San Francisco, as well. Walter Football mocked him 14th overall to the 49ers, saying:

"The 49ers came away with a solid draft class, save for the fact that they didn’t address their horrid secondary until the sixth round. Perhaps they’re aware that the corners and safeties in the 2020 class are far superior to those in the 2019 NFL Draft. Isaiah Simmons flew all around the field and was a physical presence for Clemson this year."

The Niners were aggressive in filling needs, defensively, and will continue to do so if the secondary can’t hold up. Look for Simmons to be arguably the hottest defensive back talent in the draft.