Niner Noise
FanSided

2020 NFL free agency: 3 safeties 49ers can target

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 07: Raheem Mostert #31 of the San Francisco 49ers fights off the tackle of Eric Murray #22 of the Cleveland Browns during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game at Levi's Stadium on October 07, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 07: Raheem Mostert #31 of the San Francisco 49ers fights off the tackle of Eric Murray #22 of the Cleveland Browns during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game at Levi's Stadium on October 07, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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Adrian Phillips, Chargers
Adrian Phillips #31 of the Los Angeles Chargers (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images) /

No. 3: Adrian Phillips, Los Angeles Chargers

Going after some low-budget options might be the best route San Francisco takes this offseason, and few fit that kind of bill better than Los Angeles Chargers safety Adrian Phillips.

Phillips, who’ll turn 28 years old later this month, has plenty of years left in his prime and experienced a similar kind of defensive scheme in Los Angeles as the 49ers run under coordinator Robert Saleh, utilizing a lot of single-high, Cover 3 coverage over the top.

Yet Phillips has perennially been a reserve player during his pro tenure, never starting more than seven games over his six-year career. He did manage to earn first-team All-Pro accolades in 2018, but that was due to his special teams abilities.

Hey, that’s a bonus.

Phillips spent most of last season down in the box, primarily due to All-Pro strong safety Derwin James missing most of 2019 with an injury. With James poised to return, and the Chargers working on developing second-year pro Nasir Adderley, there’s going to be little room on L.A.’s roster for Phillips aside from being a backup and special teams player.

The 49ers could pounce on Phillips at relatively low cost, grabbing an experienced veteran with familiarity of a similar defensive scheme.