49ers add talented safety in CBS Sports’ latest 2021 mock draft

A safety isn’t regularly being mocked to the 49ers in the 2021 NFL Draft, but CBS Sports’ latest mock suggests something like this could happen.

When looking at the bulk of San Francisco 49ers mock NFL Draft classes out there for 2021, the consensus was either a starting-caliber offensive tackle at No. 12 overall, all but negated in the wake of the Niners re-signing Trent Williams, a pass-rusher, cornerback or potentially a quarterback to replace Jimmy Garoppolo.

Not so much a safety.

Granted, safety was a bit of a need before San Francisco re-signed one of its starters, strong safety Jaquiski Tartt, a week after free agency kicked off. But with Tartt back on a one-year deal, it doesn’t seem as if the 49ers would use their first pick in the draft, No. 12 overall, on a safety, right?

Well, not so fast.

CBS Sports’ Chris Trapasso recently released his latest Round 1 mock, which includes some trade shakeups within the top 10 but sees the Niners staying put with their first pick, then grabbing UCF safety Richie Grant at No. 12 overall:

"Yes, Jimmie Ward and Jaquiski Tartt are established safeties in San Francisco, but Grant is too talented for the 49ers not to pick him to add another weapon on defense."

There is some merit to this selection.

As Trapasso’s mock panned out, Grant ended up being the second safety selected behind TCU’s Trevon Moehrig, who went No. 10 overall to the Dallas Cowboys. San Francisco was reportedly in attendance for Moehrig’s pro day, so the perceived interest in adding a safety was there at least at some point earlier this offseason.

Whether or not that context has changed with Tartt back is anyone’s guess, but one would figure the 49ers could easily have interest in the 6-foot-0, 194-pound Grant, too.

Grant figures to be one of the top two safeties selected on draft day, and it’s not hard to envision his fit with the Niners. While at UCF, Grant was used in various systems and schemes, both as a single-high safety with plenty of range as well as more-traditional Cover 2 systems. UCF wasn’t afraid to bump him down closer to the box, too, suggesting he could be a strong safety acting on blitzes if need be.

49ers targeting a safety early in the NFL Draft makes some sense

San Francisco retaining Williams while signing veteran center Alex Mack crosses off the offensive line as a top need.

While cornerback and quarterback could still stand for upgrades, there aren’t too many high-profile safeties in this year’s class, and most would agree both Moehrig and Grant are the only two worthy of first-round consideration.

Tartt and his counterpart, Jimmie Ward, also both have injury histories. The former has missed 28 regular-season games over the last four years, and the fact Tartt is back only on a one-year deal suggests the 49ers would be open to finding a long-term replacement. Especially with Tartt’s two primary backups last year, Tarvarius Moore and Marcell Harris, not solidifying themselves as starting-caliber options.

Moore and Harris are signed only through 2021 anyway.

Grant is more of a free safety-type player, though, so one could make the argument his would-be draft addition would potentially signal the inevitable end of Ward’s tenure with the Niners, although Ward is currently under contract through 2022 and has zero in guaranteed money after this season.

So it’s not out of the question San Francisco is seeking younger, cheaper replacements for either Ward or Tartt as soon as now.