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2020 NFL Mock Draft: Sifting through the pre-draft noise

By Jacob Camenker

KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE - OCTOBER 05: Andrew Thomas #71 of the Georgia Bulldogs warms up on the field before the game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on October 05, 2019 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE - OCTOBER 05: Andrew Thomas #71 of the Georgia Bulldogs warms up on the field before the game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on October 05, 2019 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images) /
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OXFORD, MS – SEPTEMBER 15: Xavier McKinney #15 of the Alabama Crimson Tide defends during a game against the Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on September 15, 2018 in Oxford, Mississippi. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
OXFORD, MS – SEPTEMBER 15: Xavier McKinney #15 of the Alabama Crimson Tide defends during a game against the Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on September 15, 2018 in Oxford, Mississippi. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

. Safety. San Francisco 49ers. Xavier McKinney. 31. player. 42

The 49ers can afford to be patient here and take the best player on their board. In this case, it’s Alabama safety Xavier McKinney who could be a top-20 pick and probably should go in the top-25.

The 49ers have a couple of solid safeties in Jimmie Ward and Jaquiski Tartt. But Ward is only on a one-year deal and it’s possible that if the 49ers find a cheap solution at the position, they’ll be willing to move on from him.

McKinney logged 95 tackles, three sacks, and three interceptions last season. He was one of the most important players on the Crimson Tide defense and showcased versatility given his strong coverage skills and solid tackling ability. At the next level, he probably will be a free safety, but he could be interchangeable between roles, depending on where he lands.

The 49ers could target an offensive tackle here if they want a successor for Joe Staley. But for now, McKinney is too good to pass up.

Another option would be trading down with a team that loves Utah State quarterback Jordan Love and wants to get a fifth-year option on him. This would be one of the places for quarterback-needy teams to target in a trade up, and it will be interesting to see if the 49ers pick here come Thursday night.

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