The 49ers have lost many key players this offseason. With 11 picks in the upcoming draft, they will be tasked with trying to replace the production they lost in free agency.
Among the players that left San Francisco is Charvarius Ward. Ward is a one-time Pro Bowler and signed a three-year, $54 million deal with the Indianapolis Colts. Ward started 44 games for the 49ers in the last three seasons and was a key part of their secondary. Newsweek’s Seth Quinn predicted the 49ers would draft his replacement, Jahdae Barron with the 11th overall pick.
“The 49ers need bodies on defense after losing seemingly everyone in free agency, so they take arguably the best defender left in Barron,” wrote Quinn. “The top player they lost was Charvarius Ward to the Colts, so a corner replacement makes the most sense.”
Barron played five seasons at the University of Texas. Last season he was named an All-American. He led the SEC in interceptions as well. Barron could make an instant impact on Robert Saleh’s defense as the 49ers look to bounce back from missing the playoffs. In 57 collegiate games he has eight interceptions, 24 passes defended 226 tackles and 21 tackles for a loss.
The 49ers have plenty of holes on their defense after free agency, but they may prioritize finding a replacement for Ward over others. Barron is probably the best corner in the draft besides Travis Hunter and is the first pure corner taken in Newsweek’s mock draft.
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