49ers NFL Draft plans: 5 second-round picks to target in 2020

NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 13: Tee Higgins #5 of the Clemson Tigers makes a reception against the LSU Tigers during the College Football Playoff National Championship held at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images) /

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Antoine Winfield Jr., Minnesota Golden Gophers

Antoine Winfield Jr. #11 of the Minnesota Gophers (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

Safety. Golden Gophers . Antoine Winfield Jr.. 2. player. 852.

Wide receiver and cornerback are both deep in the NFL Draft. Safety, however, isn’t anywhere close to the depth.

So if the 49ers are looking to replace Jimmie Ward and aren’t comfortable with choices in free agency or on their own roster, it wouldn’t be shocking to see the team use its first pick in the draft to address this crucial need.

There are a number of decent prospects to watch towards the end of Round 1 and into Round 2. But if the Niners are eyeing a surefire second-round pick, Minnesota’s Antoine Winfield Jr. would be a player to watch.

Winfield is a bit on the smaller side for a quality safety, standing at 5-foot-9 and 203 pounds. He’ll have to overcome the shortish stature to find success at the NFL level. And if he does it, it’ll be due to his excellent play strength and reactive skills to opponents’ routes. These traits helped him reel in an impressive seven interceptions last season, giving a team like San Francisco exceptional ballhawking talent at the last level of the defense.

Plus, Winfield is capable of playing all over the secondary, lending some flexibility to defensive coordinator Robert Saleh.