San Francisco 49ers: Early look at 5 targets in 2022 NFL Draft

49ers Target No. 2: S Jordan Battle, Alabama

San Francisco did spend considerable effort reinforcing its secondary during this year’s draft, adding defensive backs Ambry Thomas, Deommodore Lenoir and Talanoa Hufanga on days two and three. And those three aren’t yet pegged as surefire starters, meaning the starting trio of cornerbacks should include Jason Verrett, Emmanuel Moseley and K’Waun Williams, while the starting safety duo should be Jimmie Ward and Jaquiski Tartt.

There’s a good chance Hufanga is pegged as the shoo-in replacement for Tartt, who is back on only a one-year deal anyway, yet it’s just as real a possibility Hufanga doesn’t pan out as a starting-caliber player.

If that’s the case, the 49ers are likely going to be back on the hunt for another strong safety to plug the gap.

One of the players worth monitoring on day two of the draft is Alabama strong safety Jordan Battle, whose 66 tackles were third most for the Crimson Tide defense in 2020.

For the most part, Alabama’s secondary will remain intact despite losing cornerback Patrick Surtain II to the NFL ranks this offseason. As such, Battle has a chance to cement himself as a standout and arguably the first Crimson Tide defensive back to be selected especially if he’s able to flash his well above-average speed.

If he somehow falls into Round 2, the Niners need to look hard at him if the need is still there.