SF 49ers: 7-round mock 2021 NFL Draft with only SEC players

Round 4, Pick No. 117 Overall: SF 49ers select defensive back Joshuah Bledsoe, Missouri

One of the sneaky dangerous potential free-agent departures this offseason is K’Waun Williams, who’d unquestionably leave a void at nickel cornerback if he hits the open market.

Even if Williams returns, San Francisco would have a need to get younger at the position. And Williams does come with something of a recent injury history. Letting go of now-Seattle Seahawks defensive back D.J. Reed last offseason didn’t help matters either.

So if the SF 49ers are looking for a promising and versatile defender to take over for Williams, Missouri’s Joshuah Bledsoe would be a wise choice.

At 6-foot-0 and 200 pounds, Bledsoe is slightly bigger than the usually small nickel backs, but he has both the scheme fit and versatility to double there and as a big-nickel safety towards the back end of the secondary.

While Bledsoe could eventually transition into a full-time safety role later in his career, his immediate fit would be as a nickel back lined up over the slot.