The San Francisco 49ers’ rotating cast of safeties in 2018 couldn’t produce a surefire starter at either safety spot. Finding stability in the back end of the secondary could be key to improving a 15th-ranked passing defense that posted an NFL record worst two interceptions last season.
The safety position is deep in this year’s free agency class. Finding one that fits in the defense will be important for general manager John Lynch – who was a Hall-of-Fame-caliber safety during his playing days. Here are six players the 49ers should consider at the position in free agency:
Earl Thomas
Thomas might be the best fit out of the safeties on the market because of his familiarity with the 49ers’ defense. They run the same scheme that made Thomas a three-time All-Pro and a six-time Pro Bowler at free safety.
There are a couple red flags. He is entering his age-30 season, and is coming off a broken leg that held him to just four games played in 2018. However, he was excellent in those four games with three interceptions, and a Pro Football Focus overall grade of 91.3. Thomas is one of the best to ever play the position, and would be a great addition to any secondary in the NFL. His familiarity with the 49ers’ scheme and his relationship with Richard Sherman make San Francisco an ideal landing spot for him.
Tyrann Mathieu
The 49ers decided against pursuing Mathieu after the Cardinals released him prior to last season. This time around, the Red and Gold should show more interest in the 26-year old.
Mathieu is still looking to re-capture the level of play he had in 2015 when he had five interceptions and 17 pass deflections. He has five interceptions and 19 deflections combined in the three seasons since then. He can play in multiple spots on the defense including dropping down to play slot corner. He’s a little bit of a misfit for the specific roles in 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh’s scheme, but his playmaking ability would be a welcome addition at whatever position he slides in at.
Landon Collins
The New York Giants could wind up placing a franchise tag on Collins, preventing him from hitting the market. The 49ers could be all over the 25-year-old if they don’t. Collins won’t help over the top but can make an impact at the line as a strong safety with plus abilities in pressuring the quarterback and stopping the run.
He didn’t have an interception in 12 games last season, but he posted seven the previous two seasons. His career-low 96 tackles weren’t a surprise considering he missed four games. Collins is an All-Pro and three-time Pro Bowler, and he’s just 25-year old. The combination of his on-field production and age would make him a foundational piece of the San Francisco defense for a long time.
Adrian Amos
Amos might be one of the more underrated free agents available in this class. He’s another young option for San Francisco to consider, entering free agency at 25-years old, and will be 26 by the time the season starts.
Amos finished the season with an 82.7 overall grade from PFF, which was good for eighth-best at the position. Amos can play either safety position and was successful doing so with the Bears. The 49ers would probably slot him in as a strong safety in their scheme. He finished 2018 with a career-high two interceptions and 59 tackles.
Tre Boston
Boston is strictly a free safety who could help solve the 49ers interception problems. In Boston’s last two seasons with the Chargers and Cardinals, he had eight interceptions, which is tied for sixth-most in the NFL in that time span.
PFF gave him a 78.2 coverage grade in 2018 after having an 89.0 in 2017. His 74.1 overall grade was the second-highest of his career. He’s had to sign back-to-back one-year deals, so the sixth-year safety could be looking for a longer term deal this time around. He isn’t the best available safety, but he’s more of a proven NFL starter than any player on the 49ers’ roster.
Lamarcus Joyner
The 49ers are familiar with Joyner. He’s played the entirety of his career with the Rams. The 28-year-old was drafted in 2014, but the Rams played him primarily at nickel early on. He was a cornerback the first three seasons of his career before moving to free safety in 2017 when Sean McVay took over as the head coach. Joyner has recorded all four of his career interceptions since changing positions.
Joyner’s first season as a safety was a successful one. He posted a 91.0 overall grade according to PFF, and notched three interceptions. His follow-up wasn’t as strong. He tallied just one pick and his grade plummeted to 73.1 after signing the franchise tag last offseason. Joyner has the skill set to be an elite safety. He’s a starting-caliber player even at his worst, and that’s something San Francisco desperately needs.
