Despite what everyone tells you, no one actually knows what the San Francisco 49ers are going to do in this week's NFL Draft.
In fact, I'm fairly sure even John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan don't know yet. They're likely to react to how the board falls, after all.
So, I'm not claiming any inside knowledge here. I do, however, think some things can be extrapolated from the things we've seen and heard this offseason so far, and San Francisco's play in the last few years. One of those is simple: The 49ers would like to come out of the draft with a potential starting defensive back, likely taken in the second round, or possibly even the first.
What I haven't necessarily nailed down yet is whether the player will come at cornerback where there's some improved depth following the signings of Nate Hobbs and Jack Jones, but still question marks over the Niners' opinion of Renardo Green. Or safety, where the likes of Ji'Ayir Brown and Malik Mustapha, among a cavalcade of others, have flattered to deceive.
Regardless of what position the 49ers choose to strengthen, however (and in an ideal world, they'd strengthen both), there's one key attribute they need to find.
Ball skills.
The 49ers have consistently lacked the ability to generate turnovers in recent seasons. That's exemplified by 2026, where the defense only recorded five interceptions in all, two of those coming by Ji'Ayir Brown in the same game. Even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while, I suppose.
That's been a pattern that's followed for several years, with San Francisco at various points going on some unthinkable streaks without a turnover (getting up to an astonishing fourteen games without one at one point).
Some of that could be put down to defensive schematics. Certainly anyone playing in former coordinator Nick Sorensen's defense couldn't have reasonably been expected to sparkle. But in truth, it has more to do with the profile of player often selected by the regime.
The likes of Brown and Mustapha are largely hitters rather than coverage players, with neither showing particular instinct for the ball. In fact, it's hard to remember the last time the 49ers had a genuine top-class safety. Perhaps Jimmie Ward, stalwart of multiple Niners defenses? Remember, of course, he was a first-round draft choice.
That's at least in part why I've been banging on for so long about San Francisco needing a ballhawking safety, and not really understanding why it's so reluctant to find and/or draft one. Perhaps that will change now Raheem Morris is in situ as the defensive coordinator, particularly because he's been able to work with such quality centerfielders as Jessie Bates in his past stops.
Does that mean one's heading the 49ers' way in the first round? Likely not, although someone like Dillon Theinemann or Emmanuel McNeil-Warren would appeal if they fell to No. 27. McNeil-Warren even reminds some people of another former charge of Morris in Atlanta with the Falcons, Xavier Watts.
It's more likely, though, there'll be options in the second round, with players like A.J. Haulcy and Bud Clark available. Personally, I love Haulcy, and a player with the nickname "Mr. Give Me That" seems ideal for a franchise that's forgotten how to generate turnovers.
As for cornerback, San Francisco needs as many options as it can get, particularly if it lacks faith in Green, as has been suggested. There's some discussion privately in Niner Noise chats of going for fast-rising Arizona defensive back Treydan Stukes, who could play all across the secondary and has some tremendous ability to generate turnovers.
After that, you're looking at the likes of Colton Hood and Malik Muhammed as potential options.
Either way, the 49ers need to add some playmakers. In a draft that's more deep than shining with stars, perhaps they'll find some playmakers for the defensive backfield.
Here's hoping; more turnovers can only be a good thing.
Of course, they could also strengthen the pass-rush to help out the coverage, too.
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