Niner Noise
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3 players SF 49ers must sneak onto 2020 practice squad

By Jeremy Wohlfart

MOBILE, AL - JANUARY 25: Runningback JaMycal Hasty #23 from Baylor of the North Team during warm ups before the start of the 2020 Resse's Senior Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium on January 25, 2020 in Mobile, Alabama. The North Team defeated the South Team 34 to 17. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)
MOBILE, AL - JANUARY 25: Runningback JaMycal Hasty #23 from Baylor of the North Team during warm ups before the start of the 2020 Resse's Senior Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium on January 25, 2020 in Mobile, Alabama. The North Team defeated the South Team 34 to 17. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /
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Jared Mayden, Alabama Crimson Tide
Jared Mayden, Alabama Crimson Tide (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

SF 49ers Player No. 3: Jared Mayden, Safety

Unlike the defensive line, the secondary is not a positional group that has a lot of depth behind the usually stingy starters. In fact, it’s not a stretch to say it might be the weakest in that department outside of the offensive line.

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While the team has done a good job in finding some depth, they may yet have a potential starter in versatile rookie safety Jared Mayden.

A ballhawk at Alabama, Mayden made some of those same plays in training camp and showed a consistent ability to work in coverage.

His versatility in being able to play either free safety or strong safety, as well as his ability to make plays (a feature that has been mostly missing in the otherwise solid group at the position) makes him an intriguing prospect at the position.

The 49ers have a solid group at safety right now, so Mayden is unlikely to be able to break into the team right away. He’s however a definite certainty to be put onto the practice squad as the team continues to develop him to be (at worst) a versatile and capable backup.

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That is, provided no other team claims him first.