3 biggest needs atop 49ers wish list for 2022 NFL Draft
By Peter Panacy
49ers draft need No. 2: Defensive back
Yes, San Francisco made only one true big-ticket free-agent signing this offseason, bringing aboard former Kansas City Chiefs starting cornerback Charvarius Ward to address what was arguably the team’s biggest positional weakness.
Ward will help a lot, automatically assuming a starting position and thickening up what’s otherwise a questionable depth chart.
The 49ers did, however, lose nickel corner K’Waun Williams in free agency, while veteran strong safety Jaquiski Tartt remains unsigned. Sure, the Niners could feasibly bump No. 2 cornerback Emmanuel Moseley over the slot in three-wide formations, letting second-year pro Ambry Thomas hold down the opposite boundary spot in sub packages. But the thought of grabbing a long-term upgrade at some point early-ish in the draft would be a wise move to pursue.
Read More: 3 prospects who could replace Jaquiski Tartt via NFL Draft
A similar situation applies at safety, too. San Francisco inked special teams ace George Odum, a spot starter at the position, and it wouldn’t be out of the question to consider him in the running for starting duties alongside returning defensive backs like Talanoa Hufanga and Tarvarius Moore.
Yet Moore is coming off a torn Achilles suffered a year ago, while Hufanga’s coverage deficiencies don’t exactly bode well for him being a full-time starter.
What could be needed is a hybrid-type defensive back, someone capable of playing multiple spots within the secondary at a high level.