2020 NFL free agency: 3 safeties 49ers can target

No. 1: Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Chicago Bears

Both Adrian Phillips and Eric Murray are fringe starters and would likely be considered little more than interim options until the 49ers could land a long-term fix.

In the case of Chicago Bears safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, however, the Niners would be securing a bona fide starter for the foreseeable future.

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The idea isn’t without precedent. Pro Football Focus suggested Clinton-Dix should be a prime NFL free agency target for San Francisco this offseason. And while Clinton-Dix was drafted the same year as Jimmie Ward, 2014 by the Green Bay Packers, the former is both younger and has a far better history against injury.

While Ward landed on season-ending injured reserve in four of his first six pro seasons, Clinton-Dix has never missed a game since being draft, serving as a full-time starter in all but one of those years.

Granted, Clinton-Dix hasn’t quite been the playmaking defensive back over his career, and one could argue the 49ers would be losing something on the back end by going with him over Ward.

But Clinton-Dix has been serviceable, and he’s likely to cost cheaper than Ward will on the open market.

2020 NFL free agency will kick off when the league’s new year begins on March 18.