2020 NFL Draft: 3 defensive players 49ers target with second Round 1 pick
By Peter Panacy
The San Francisco 49ers could trade back out of the first round in the 2020 NFL Draft. But if they stay put at No. 31 and go defense, here are three prospects they can target.
San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch is in a bit of a conundrum heading towards the 2020 NFL Draft this April.
After trading for EDGE Dee Ford and wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders last year, the Niners have two picks, Nos. 13 (from the Indianapolis Colts) and 31 overall, between the first and fourth rounds of the draft. While San Francisco doesn’t have a ton of needs on both sides of the ball, those needs are rather pressing. Sanders is a pending free agent. So is safety Jimmie Ward.
Cap limitations will likely prevent the 49ers from bringing back those top-name players in 2020. And even if the Niners are able to re-sign one or both of them, there are still some other areas on the roster in need of adjustments.
Case in point, San Francisco has to think about an eventual replacement for aging left tackle Joe Staley. The interior of the offensive line could use some help, and cornerback is arguably the biggest position in need of help this offseason.
Let’s stay on that side of the ball: defense. And let’s also assume the 49ers grab someone impressive at No. 13 after trading away defensive tackle DeForest Buckner.
What about that second Round 1 pick?
The 2020 draft is pretty deep at cornerback, and there are some good day-two options the Niners could target via a trade down. Yet there are some top-tier options for this position in the first round, too, and the group of safeties in this year’s class isn’t quite as deep as other spots within the secondary.
Assuming San Francisco stays put at No. 31 in the draft, here are three defensive prospects Lynch and Co. may target when the 49ers’ number is called for the first time.