5 early candidates for 49ers first pick in 2020 NFL Draft
By Elvis Jerez
Who is he?
Safety Ashtyn Davis out of California ranks 36th overall and third best at his position in the 2020 NFL Draft. Davis is a tough safety who doesn’t mind contact and seems durable. He was a starter in 33 of the 49 games he played, and Davis only missed seven games in his entire college career. During his tenure with the Cal Bears, he racked up:
- 104 tackles
- 67 assists
- Seven interceptions
- 19 points defended
Davis has an impressive list of accolades, including being a finalist in the Burlsworth Trophy given to the top walk-on player in the country. Also, as a track star, Davis boasts high-end speed but tends to miss targets if at an angle.
Why it makes sense?
To some degree, the 49ers neglected the secondary in 2019. With a star-studded front seven, led by a fierce foursome, they that luxury. They could get away with, survive and even compete with the talent on hand at safety. But adding a top three-level safety from this draft could make the killer Niners defense even more lethal.
It will also ease some of the pressure for the guys up front, knowing they have capable hands behind them.
The best part is that this wouldn’t be too much of a reach for the 49ers.