The 49ers could address their secondary in the 2026 NFL Draft with three potential Day 2 targets.
The San Francisco 49ers are entering a pivotal offseason on defense, and the safety position is quietly becoming one of the more important areas to address.
With Raheem Morris implementing a new vision and uncertainty still looming over the backend, the 2026 NFL Draft presents a prime opportunity to add a long-term contributor.
While the top-tier safeties may be off the board early, Round 2 offers a strong range for value. Here are three safeties who could realistically be in play for San Francisco on Day 2.
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren headlines this group as one of the most physically imposing safeties in the class. At roughly 6-foot-3 with elite length, he brings a rare combination of size, range, and downhill aggression.
McNeil-Warren excels in run support and isn’t afraid to deliver big hits, but he also shows flashes of fluidity in coverage.
For a 49ers defense that has occasionally lacked a true enforcer on the backend, he could step in early and provide that edge while continuing to refine his coverage instincts.
Zakee Wheatley offers a more balanced and versatile profile. He’s one of the safest prospects in this tier thanks to his ability to do a little bit of everything at a high level.
Wheatley moves well in space, tackles consistently, and has experience lining up deep, in the slot, and in the box.
That kind of flexibility is exactly what the 49ers value in their defensive system. His high football IQ and steady play style make him a strong candidate to contribute early and eventually develop into a reliable starter.
South Carolina’s Jalon Kilgore rounds out the group as an ascending prospect with intriguing upside.
Kilgore has built a reputation as a rangy, instinctive defender who thrives in coverage. He’s comfortable playing over the top, reading quarterbacks, and making plays on the ball.
At the same time, he brings enough physicality to hold his own closer to the line of scrimmage.
His ability to impact both phases of the game makes him an appealing fit for a defense looking to improve its overall versatility and playmaking on the backend.
For San Francisco, reinforcing the secondary is essential in a conference loaded with explosive offenses.
Adding a safety on Day 2 would not only address depth but also provide a potential long-term starter in a system that demands intelligence, versatility, and discipline.
With options like McNeil-Warren, Wheatley, and Kilgore available in the second round range, the 49ers are well-positioned to find value and continue reshaping their defense.
Landing the right player here could go a long way in stabilizing the backend and elevating the unit as a whole heading into 2026.