5 draft prospects 49ers would trade up for after NFL free agency

49ers trade-up draft target No. 2: DB Jalen Pitre, Baylor

Yes, another Niner Noise article touting Baylor defensive back Jalen Pitre.

While the Niners should prioritize their offensive line in this year’s NFL Draft, Pitre could easily be the No. 1 target John Lynch has on his realistic big board, at least one that doesn’t automatically require a trade-up. But after recording a 4.18 20-yard shuttle drill and further impressing scouts with his NFL Combine workouts, Pitre is shooting up draft boards and could be yet another player who winds up being selected early in Round 2.

San Francisco might have liked Pitre a lot prior to NFL free agency anyway, and the acquisition of former Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Charvarius Ward shouldn’t prevent it from going after another defensive back.

Read More: Why we like Baylor DB Jalen Pitre so much

Particularly after losing nickel corner K’Waun Williams to the Denver Broncos, while strong safety Jaquiski Tartt remains unsigned.

Pitre, 5-foot-11 and 198 pounds, can play essentially any position in the defensive backfield and do it well. He played a lot of nickel in college but has the wherewithal to double as a safety/linebacker hybrid, too, showing the growth of versatile defenders in today’s NFL.

If the 49ers covet him, they’ll have to be aggressive in doing so.