49ers take Justin Fields, trade around in final mock NFL Draft

Round 3, Pick No. 81 Overall (from Dolphins): 49ers select defensive back Jamar Johnson, Indiana

It wouldn’t be shocking at all to see the Niners move up multiple times in the NFL Draft. And after doing so in Round 2, John Lynch moves back into the top 100 again by trading with the Miami Dolphins again, this time sending off San Francisco’s compensatory pick in Round 3 (No. 102 overall) as well as its fifth-round selection (No. 172 overall) originally from the New Orleans Saints.

If there’s one major area the 49ers need to reinforce over the long run, it’s their secondary. And after nabbing Greg Newsome II, they’ll be perfectly happy selecting Indiana defensive back Jamar Johnson by trading up earlier into Round 3.

Johnson is one of those third-round targets unlikely to fall late into the round. At 6-foot-1 and 197 pounds, the Hoosiers used him in a multitude of ways in their defensive backfield. He’s capable of lining up over the slot, acting as a single-high safety or even working as a big-nickel defensive back.

The Niners have long-term questions at a number of positions within the secondary. K’Waun Williams could be gone in 2022, and so could strong safety Jaquiski Tartt. Backup defensive backs Tarvarius Moore and Marcell Harris haven’t shown the knack to be full-time starters, and they’re both entering contract years anyway.

Getting Johnson, who tallied four interceptions and four pass breakups last year, would go a long way towards infusing some youth into this potentially vulnerable part of the defense.