The odds of the 49ers using their first-round pick instead of trading back seem low considering they wouldn’t be slated to make another selection until the fifth round. However, there’s a chance they make do with their limited capital and go big to find a starter with the No. 31 overall pick, then figure out the rest of the draft later.
That’s how they operate in the Touchdown Wire pre-combine mock, where they select LSU safety Grant Delpit.
It may turn out that just taking the best player available is the best move for San Francisco, especially if they think they’re getting a Pro Bowl caliber player at that spot. Delpit sliding to them may be too good of an opportunity to pass up, especially if they lose free safety Jimmie Ward in free agency.
Delpit has the type of skill set to play the ‘eraser’ role that Ward occupied in the back end of the secondary. He’s good in coverage with the range and instincts to play the single high safety spot, and according to Pro Football Focus, he didn’t miss a tackle throughout the College Football Playoffs after struggling with that part of his game during the season.
Tackling is key to that position though and is a strength of Ward’s game. Range and coverage are nice, but Ward’s ability to get up into the box and make tackles was a key reason the 49ers allowed the fewest big plays in the league last season.
If the 49ers re-sign Ward, they could probably get a nice haul in a Draft Day trade if Delpit falls to No. 31. If they don’t retain Ward though, and have a hole at free safety, Delpit is the type of player who could step in and fill it on Day 1.
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