3 NFL Draft prospects who could improve 49ers secondary in 2022
By Fred Smith
2022 NFL Draft is approaching and the 49ers must find an avenue to improve their roster. These three defensive prospects should be considered if available.
The San Francisco 49ers will enter the 2022 NFL Draft having one of the top five worst draft capitals in the league. In this year’s draft, the Miami Dolphins own rights to the Niners’ first-round pick, leaving San Francisco without any picks in the first round.
General manager John Lynch, trading away their 2022 and 2023 first-round picks, including a third-round selection for 2022 to aid in drafting quarterback Trey Lance last year contributed to the complication.
This year, barring unforeseen trades or circumstances, the Niners’ first pick in the 2022 NFL Draft will be the 61st overall pick, taking place in the second round.
The Niners should still be able to get the most out of this year’s draft so long as they draft sharply and purposefully, though.
The 49ers are not oblivious to the possibility they could lose left guard Laken Tomlinson to free agency, which in turn could tempt them to spend their initial draft pick on an offensive lineman. Nevertheless, considering the defensive woes they suffered during the 2021 season, it would be wise for the Niners to prioritize their defensive secondary in the upcoming draft.
The encouraging improvement of San Francisco’s 2021 third-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, cornerback Ambry Thomas, places the team in a scenario where it won’t be completely devastated if it loses cornerbacks Jason Verrett and K’Waun Williams to free agency this offseason.
Nevertheless, the cornerback position is still the 49ers’ most essential need entering the draft.
The 49ers could also allow their starting safety Jaquiski Tartt to walk and enter free agency this offseason, too, and losing Tartt would evolve the context from just a cornerback issue into a full-blown secondary problem.
The good thing is, in this upcoming NFL draft, there are a few dazzling prospects on the defensive side of the ball who could offer speed, depth, and improved secondary play for the 49ers in 2022.
With all that said, the Niners should keep their eyes fixated on these three defensive draft prospects who could improve their secondary depth in 2022 and beyond.