Niners Target Fourth-Round Safety, Skip DBs

0:00The San Francisco 49ers under Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch have never grabbed the safety or defensive back in the first round, even with a haul, of fame safety calling shots as GM. Now with defensive coordinator Rahim Moore is running the show, he's hunting for that versatile, do-it-all safety, who can play everywhere. Word is, they're not swinging early, likely targeting the fourth round or trade-back scenario. Earlier this week, scouts zeroed in on prospects projected for late rounds, like guys from LSU, TCU, and South Carolina, who might go by the end of the upend. Third, they've hosted visits and met with a few standouts, but history says no first round splash, and even a Toledo player who fits the mold perfect won't. Tempt them at 27, fans and analysts are buzzing because the secondary needs depth after some key signings like Nate Hobbs and Jack Jones. Moore's prioritizes size, speed, and coverage chops, so smaller guys with heart, but less length, might slide, despite strong tape.

1:03It's all about fitting that scheme without overreaching. Diving deeper, VJ, Payne from Kansas State tops the list as 6'3", 210 pounds, with elite coverage skills holding receivers to just 47% completions against him. They chatted with Texas's Michael Tayafi at the combine, too. He's a tackling machine and special teams ace. Oklahoma's Robert Spears Jennings brings blazing 4.32 speed as a blitzer. For defensive backs, it's slimmer pickings. They've seen Texas's Malik Muhammad and Georgia's Dailin Everett, but no big plans there. Bottom line. Expect the Niners to snag Payne at pick 138 in the fourth, passing on defensive backs altogether to build smart and steady. Local news, powered by AI. This is California News Today. I'm Cory with the story.