5 draft picks 49ers can select to replace Jimmie Ward

49ers safety target No. 3: Daniel Scott, Cal

San Francisco can also stay local and look at a safety prospect, Daniel Scott out of Cal, who could also fit the bill as Jimmie Ward’s replacement.

It just so happens we wrote up a good breakdown (at least we think so) of why Scott could be the perfect transitional player from Ward.

Scott, 24 years old, is a bit older than most prospects, and that could push his draft value down a lot and into the middle rounds. But, a team like the 49ers shouldn’t mind that at all if he has day-two traits.

For all intents and purposes, Scott has those.

Armed with significantly better reaction abilities than Ronnie Hickman, Scott managed six interceptions and six pass breakups over the last two years for the Golden Bears.

The 6-foot-1, 208-pound defensive back also doesn’t shy away from hits, possesses excellent leadership traits and could potentially be a plug-and-play starter from day one.