The San Francisco 49ers kicked off their 2019 NFL Draft class by selecting Ohio State EDGE Nick Bosa with the No. 2 overall pick. With Round 1 in the books, who are some players to watch as potential Niners targets in Round 2?
Day one of the NFL Draft always gets the most publicity, and it's not uncommon for many a casual fan to tune out after Round 1 is in the books.
For the San Francisco 49ers, this round netted arguably the top prospect in this year's class, Ohio State edge rusher Nick Bosa, who fell into the Niners' collective lap at No. 2 overall following the top-drafting Arizona Cardinals took Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murray.
But drafts aren't won on day one, and the 49ers can look forward to yet another early pick when Round 2 kicks off at 7 p.m. ET on April 26. General manager John Lynch will have the No. 36 overall pick at his disposal, and there's still a great chunk of Round 1-caliber talent available.
Lynch could go one of a number of different directions here. After Pro Football Focus ranked the Niners secondary dead last in the league a season ago, it wouldn't be overly shocking to see Lynch target a single-high free safety. Cornerback is possible, too, and a wide receiver is also probably high on San Francisco's wish list.
Here are some names to watch for the Niners when Round 2 kicks off on Friday.
Cornerback Greedy Williams, LSU
For most of the 2018 NCAA season, LSU's Greedy Williams was widely viewed as the top cornerback in this year's NFL Draft. His stock has slipped a bit, though, and he now finds himself likely a second-round acquisition.
At 6-foot-2 and 185 pounds, Williams fits the mold of what the Niners are looking for in a boundary corner. And while they have developing defensive backs, Ahkello Witherspoon and Tarvarius Moore, long-term replacements will eventually be needed to replace veterans Jason Verrett and Richard Sherman.
Offensive Lineman Cody Ford, Oklahoma
It's not as popular a need for the 49ers, but it would be wise to see San Francisco invest some in its offensive line despite already doing so a lot last season. Interior linemen Weston Richburg and Laken Tomlinson are both coming off knee injuries, and left tackle Joe Staley is getting up there in age.
Oklahoma's Cody Ford is versatile and has good footwork. That kind of skill set could prove valuable for head coach Kyle Shanahan's outside-zone blocking scheme, and Ford would have the benefit of potentially starting on the inside, eventually working his way to tackle when that time comes.
Wide Receiver A.J. Brown, Ole Miss
Last year, no Niners wideout reached 500 receiving yards. Despite second-year pro Dante Pettis flashing some promise late in 2018, Shanahan would like to find someone capable of complementing both Pettis and tight end George Kittle in the passing game. Plus, San Francisco was dead last in red-zone touchdown efficiency last season, so that's a need, too.
Ole Miss' A.J. Brown was on the fringes of being a first-round talent, yet finds himself slipping into day two of the NFL Draft. The 49ers have already shown some interest in Brown, and it never hurts to have garnered the interest from Hall of Famer Jerry Rice, right?
Safety Nasir Adderley
The 49ers re-signed defensive back Jimmie Ward to a one-year deal during the offseason, and they envision him starting at free safety this year. But Ward has also landed on injured reserve in four of his first five seasons at the pro level. Additionally, two-year pro Adrian Colbert regressed quite a bit in 2018.
Delaware safety Nasir Adderley has true center-field capabilities. And despite playing with a small-school pedigree, Adderley has great speed and coverage abilities.
Wide Receiver Deebo Samuel, South Carolina
South Carolina wideout Deebo Samuel had the benefit of working under Shanahan during the 2019 Senior Bowl. Samuel also had a great week of practice, showcasing some awfully strong separation skills within the red zone.
Remember San Francisco's red-zone woes?
At 5-foot-11 and 214 pounds, Samuel is stronger than he is bigger, which might be what Shanahan covets more. And if Samuel's route-running abilities translate to red-zone potential, Shanahan's offense won't worry too much about the receiver's relative lack of height.
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Written by:Peter Panacy has been writing about the 49ers since 2011 for outlets like Bleacher Report, Niner Noise, 49ers Webzone, and is occasionally heard as a guest on San Francisco's 95.7 FM The Game and the Niners' flagship station, KNBR 680. Feel free to follow him, or direct any inquiries to his Twitter account.
