San Francisco 49ers NFL Draft Outlook Post Free Agency

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SAFETY

Dec 6, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Landon Collins (26) during the 2014 SEC Championship Game against the Missouri Tigers at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Liles-USA TODAY Sports.

Interesting to present safety as a need, but surprisingly, it is an under the radar need for the 49ers.

Over the years, the 49ers have been able to strike gold with the safety position by having Dashon Goldson, Donte Whitner, Eric Reid, and Antoine Bethea. When Goldson and Whitner wanted to get paid, the 49ers cut their losses and plugged in the next guy.

Currently, Bethea and Reid hold the safety positions. Why safety would be a need at this point is the health of Reid.

In two seasons with the team, Reid has endured three concussions. A former teammate of Reid’s, Borland, recently just retired over the concern of concussions and quit to protect himself. No one said Reid is quitting, but his health is ready to crack at any time. That should scare the 49ers’ organization and his family.

If the concussions become too much, one of the league’s top young safeties may be forced to hang up the cleats. With Willis and Borland walking away on their own, Reid shares a similar personality and outlook on life and walking away from the game would be no surprise.

For the time being, Reid is still here and will continue to shine.

Bethea was an excellent offseason addition in 2014 as he went on to make the Pro Bowl. With limited high level years left, he too will need to be replaced soon. The backups currently to Reid and Bethea, are Jimmie Ward and Craig Dahl.

Dahl has never been a prototypical starter and will always serve as a backup. Ward, on the other hand, is a promising young safety.

With flexibility to play either cornerback or safety, Ward’s intangibles suit him well as a safety.

Drafted in first round out Northern Illinois in 2014, Ward has always preached working hard. Working hard didn’t bode well for the youngster as a nagging foot injury forced him to sit. It is not time to give up on Ward, but he will certainly replace one of the two starters in the near future.

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Dahl is the odd man out who was almost cut by the 49ers, but was brought back on a one-year deal.

Bethea’s age and Reid’s health may force the 49ers to go safety again 2015.

To a majority of 49ers fans, other positions are more of an issue, but the secondary is a clear need to address and that includes safeties.

With the success rate the 49ers have with safeties, luring in another play-maker and hard hitting safety should not be out of the question. Bring in a high-powered safety from Alabama — Landon Collins — may be an option.

Collins was a highly recruited safety in high school who decided between LSU and Alabama. Playing in the Under Armour All-Star Game, Collins made a decision that seemed to not be in the interest of his mother. Collins chose to play at Alabama, which disappointed his mother, who was hoping he would choose LSU. At Alabama he ended up not making a bad decision as he went on to become an All-American safety.

Collins instincts and knowledge for the game are what stand out. Athletic enough to make the big hit, he doesn’t display closing speed. To make up for the speed, Collins knows where to play and shows up at the right spot at the right time. With plenty of experience under his belt, the transition to the NFL should be easy, producing yet another first-round Alabama player.

Learning from Reid and Bethea would help make a nice future tandem of Ward and Collins.

Other options at safety the 49ers can look to address: Derron Smith, Damarious Randall, and Jaquiski Tartt.

Next: Tight End

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