Niners Skip Safety Draft, Eye Free Agents

0:00It's April 28th. This is NFL News Today, powered by AI, your gridiron update. I'm Cory with the story. The San Francisco 49ers skipped drafting a safety in this year's NFL draft. General manager John Lynch explained post-raft that they liked their current group, but the board just didn't line upright. He stressed the work still ongoing with free agents on the table. Their safety room right now features Gyer Brown in his final rookie year, Malik Mustafa, a full-year past as ACL tear, plus second-year Marquez. Siegel, Derek Cantine, Derek Forest, and undrafted Jalen Schroman. Most of these guys play closer to the line, like box safeties, lacking that deep-range coverage. They came this close to snagging produce Dillion Thinaman at pick 27, but he went elsewhere. Meanwhile, rivals like the Raiders grab a defensive back at 38 for safety duties, and the Browns traded up for Toledo's Emanuel. Make Neil Warren, other options like AJ Halsey Vanished Quick 2.

1:02Free agency looks thin for upgrades. Their eyeing vets like Jimmy Ward, who turns 35 in July, and hasn't played a full season since 2021. Chuck Quark last started everything in 2022. Harrison Smith's 37, and Xavier Woods, turning 31, missed six games last. Year with a hamstring issue. Taylor Rapp could be a cheat by-law from his Ramstays under new coordinator Rahim Morris, but injuries in a rough 29.7%. Miss Tackle Rate make him risky. Unless the trade shakes things up, the Niners roll into camp with last year's starters, and hope it holds.