49ers final 7-round mock NFL Draft ahead of 2021 free agency

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James Proche #3 of the Southern Methodist Mustangs against Ar’Darius Washington #27 of the TCU Horned Frogs (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

. Safety. Horned Frogs . Ar'Darius Washington. 172. player. 872

Round 5, Pick No. 172 (from Saints): 49ers select safety Ar’Darius Washington, TCU

Cornerback isn’t the only concern for San Francisco’s secondary, as strong safety Jaquiski Tartt is hitting the free-agent market. His backups, Marcell Harris and Tarvarius Moore, haven’t quite shown the ability to be full-time starters just yet either.

And one has to wonder if the Niners made a smart move parting ways with now-Seattle Seahawks defensive back D.J. Reed last year, too.

At 5-foot-8 and 178 pounds, TCU safety Ar’Darius Washington is going to have size concerns that push him into day three of the NFL Draft. But like K’Waun Williams, Washington plays bigger than his small stature would indicate, and he’s never been one to shy away from getting physical in either pass coverage or run defense.

San Francisco could use a player like Washington in a variety of ways. With its safety spots being more interchangeable and showing Cover 2 looks over the single-high Cover 3 scheme, putting Washington into Tartt’s role could work, and so could using Washington as a reserve for free safety Jimmie Ward.

And it wouldn’t be out of the question to see Washington act as a contingency plan in case Williams walks in free agency, too.