49ers 7-round mock NFL Draft after first wave of 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) /

Horned Frogs . Ar'Darius Washington. 117. player. 872. . Defensive Back

Round 4, Pick No. 117 Overall: 49ers select defensive back A’Darius Washington, TCU

Even if the Niners add someone like Israel Mukuamu after re-signing Jason Verrett and Emmanuel Moseley, there’s still a lot more work to be done within the secondary.

At the time of this writing, nickel cornerback K’Waun Williams remains a free agent. Even if he was to return, he’ll turn 30 years old this upcoming season and is coming off a year where he missed eight games because of injury.

On top of that, free safety Jimmie Ward has a bit of an injury reputation, and San Francisco is poised to let two career backups, Tarvarius Moore and Marcell Harris, battle it out for the starting strong safety job vacated by Jaquiski Tartt.

TCU’s Ar’Darius Washington isn’t necessarily a prototypical in-the-box safety, not at 5-foot-8 and 178 pounds. But he’s shown more than enough versatility to play over the top, potentially backing up Ward, while also being able to match opposing slot receivers in both zone and man coverages.

Like Williams, Washington plays bigger than his size would indicate, and he’d be a valuable addition to a secondary for a variety of roles.

Particularly as a long-term nickel cornerback, if he develops well enough.