San Francisco 49ers: Some Solid Options For The Second Overall Pick

4 of 7

Oct 8, 2016; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes safety Malik Hooker (24) returns the interception during the second half against the Indiana Hoosiers at Ohio Stadium. The Buckeyes won 38-17. Mandatory Credit: Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports /

Malik Hooker (S – Ohio State)

Having shown veteran Antoine Bethea the door, the 49ers find themselves a little thin in the defensive backfield. With Don Jones and Eric Reid penciled in as the starters, the 49ers may be looking to add a little explosive depth in the Draft.

Ohio State’s Malik Hooker is widely considered to be the best safety in the Draft and is undoubtedly on the wish list for many teams. At 6’1”, 206 pounds, he’s got terrific size, and having run a 4.45 40, he’s shown that he has fantastic speed.

Hooker is a big, strong, fast athlete who can cover a lot of ground in the defensive backfield. Scouts believe that he has terrific instincts, makes smart plays on the ball, and is a solid tackler. He’s been compared very favorably with Eric Berry, Ed Reed, and the late Sean Taylor.

Oct 16, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; San Francisco 49ers free safety Eric Reid (35) against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field. Buffalo beats San Francisco 45 to 16. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports /

The one complication with picking Hooker so high is that he will be out for several months yet, recovering from surgery to repair a labrum and a hernia. It’s an injury and recovery period that many believe will cause his stock to fall a bit. And though many believe he’s the best safety prospect in the draft, head and shoulders above everybody else, he may not be the first safety taken in the Draft. The injury makes some believe taking him with a high pick would be a reach.

But if you can get a player on the level of Reed, Berry, or Taylor, calling it a reach is ridiculous. It’s not like he blew out his knee – this is an injury that he will recover from and be the same dominant player he was before.

The 49ers have a need in their defensive backfield. A big need. And Hooker could help them out in a big way. But they’d have to be a little bit patient in bringing him along. Still, it could very well be worth the investment.