Golden Gate Sports
Fansided

San Francisco 49ers: 3 roster holes and how to fill them in the draft

By Isaac Gutierrez

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 02: General manager John Lynch of the San Francisco 49ers answers questions from the media on Day 2 of the NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center on March 2, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 02: General manager John Lynch of the San Francisco 49ers answers questions from the media on Day 2 of the NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center on March 2, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next

Minkah Fitzpatrick, DB

If the 49ers are fortunate enough to draft Minkah Fitzpatrick with the 9th overall pick, it will be reason to celebrate. Fitzpatrick is arguably the best prospect in the entire draft and would improve the San Francisco secondary overnight.

He is the most versatile defensive back prospect since Tyrann Mathieu, with the ability to play outside corner, slot corner, and safety. He truly does it all, and with a team who needs help at nearly every defensive back position, the 49ers are the perfect fit.

While he has this versatility that will clearly be utilized by whoever drafts him, his best fit on the 49ers is as the starting free safety. With Eric Reid still unsigned, this has become a glaring hole in the defense, and there is no better way to fill this hole than Minkah Fitzpatrick.

The only question that is in play here, is whether or not Fitzpatrick will be available when the team makes their selection. If you asked me this at the start of the offseason the answer would probably be no, but that has since changed. In all likelihood there will be at least three, and possibly even 4 quarterbacks selected in the top 8 picks, making it now possible that Fitzpatrick will fall to the 49ers. The top 8 should look something like this.

  1.  Browns: Sam Darnold
  2.  Giants: Josh Rosen
  3.  Jets: Josh Allen
  4.  Browns: Saquon Barkley
  5.  Broncos: Bradley Chubb
  6.  Bills (projected trade): Baker Mayfield
  7.  Buccaneers: Denzel Ward
  8.  Bears: Quenton Nelson

While this will likely not be exactly how things shake out, a scenario similar to this taking place is certainly likely, making the chances the 49ers land Fitzpatrick equally likely.