49ers Should Target These 3 Safeties in the Draft

The 49ers need to upgrade their safety position and these prospects could be the answer.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 9:11pm by

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The San Francisco 49ers need to address the safety position in the upcoming NFL Draft. They currently have Ji'Ayir Brown, Malik Mustapha, and Marques Sigle as their top options, but none are considered reliable starters. The article highlights three excellent safety prospects the 49ers should consider: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren from Toledo, Bud Clark from TCU, and Jakobe Thomas from Miami.

Why it matters

The 49ers' secondary was a weakness in 2025, and they need to find a long-term solution at safety to shore up their defense. Drafting one of these talented prospects could provide an immediate upgrade and help the 49ers return to the playoffs.

The details

McNeil-Warren is a physical safety who excels in run support and also has the range to be a traditional coverage safety. He would be a solid first-round pick for the 49ers. Clark is more of a pure coverage safety, which is an area the 49ers currently lack. He could be available in the second round. Thomas is an aggressive safety who can play well in coverage but also make big hits, similar to linebacker Dre Greenlaw. The 49ers may have to wait until the fourth round to potentially land Thomas.

  • The 2026 NFL Draft is scheduled for next week.

The players

Emmanuel McNeil-Warren

A safety prospect from the University of Toledo who is a physical presence against the run and also has the range to excel in pass coverage.

Bud Clark

A safety prospect from TCU who is considered a pure coverage safety, an area the 49ers need to improve.

Jakobe Thomas

A safety prospect from the University of Miami who plays with an aggressive, hard-hitting style similar to 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw.

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What they’re saying

“If Toledo's Emmanuel McNeil-Warren is there for the 49ers at No. 27, they need to pull the trigger on him. He's their long-term answer at safety.”

— Jose Sanchez, Writer

“If a safety with the 27th pick is too rich for the 49ers, then they should turn their attention to TCU's Bud Clark. He's more of a pure coverage safety.”

— Jose Sanchez, Writer

“I'd imagine Miami's Jakobe Thomas is catching the eyes of the 49ers if they scouted him. He is aggression personified, which is what the 49ers want to inject into their defense.”

— Jose Sanchez, Writer

What’s next

The 49ers will have to evaluate these safety prospects closely during the upcoming NFL Draft process to determine which one best fits their needs and scheme.

The takeaway

The 49ers have a clear need at safety, and drafting one of these three talented prospects could provide an immediate boost to their secondary and help them return to the playoffs in 2026.