49ers: 3 2020 NFL Draft UDFAs with best odds to make the team
Jared Mayden, S, Alabama
San Francisco’s decision not to select a defensive back during the draft came as a shock to some given their lack of depth in the secondary, particularly at boundary corner and safety.
At the latter position, the Niners have Tarvarius Moore and Marcell Harris backing up starters Jimmie Ward and Jaquiski Tartt.
The Niners value versatility in the defensive backfield and that is where UDFA safety Mayden has an advantage over Harris.
Harris is a hard-hitting box safety who has impressed in flashes during his two seasons with San Francisco. Mayden, by contrast, can play the deep middle, in the box and as a slot corner.
He plays with obvious aggressiveness and demonstrated awareness and ball skills in his sole season as a starter for the Crimson Tide in 2019, intercepting four passes.
Mayden has improvements to make as a tackler and will need to do a better job of wrapping up ball-carriers if he is to remain on the Niners’ roster.
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Ward and Tartt, who frequently swap positions in San Francisco’s defensive formation, both have spotty injury histories. Keeping a player comfortable playing free and strong safety would be an astute move by the 49ers. For them to have the confidence to make it, Mayden will have to excel in the offseason and preseason, but he is the UDFA with the clearest path to the 53.