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2018 NFL Mock Draft: Browns land Saquon Barkley

By Brad Weiss

PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 02: Running back Saquon Barkley #26 of the Penn State Nittany Lions celebrates after making a 7-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter against the USC Trojans during the 2017 Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual at the Rose Bowl on January 2, 2017 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 02: Running back Saquon Barkley #26 of the Penn State Nittany Lions celebrates after making a 7-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter against the USC Trojans during the 2017 Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual at the Rose Bowl on January 2, 2017 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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Derwin James
TALLAHASSEE, FL – SEPTEMBER 23: Defensive Back Derwin James #3 of the Florida State Seminoles celebrates after a play during the game against the North Carolina State Wolfpack at Doak Campbell Stadium on Bobby Bowden Field on September 23, 2017 in Tallahassee, Florida. NC State defeated Florida State 27 to 21. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /

42. . Defensive Back. Florida State. Derwin James. 9. player

One of the more active teams in free agency so far this year has been the San Francisco 49ers, who continue to build a solid roster around Jimmy Garoppolo. Jimmy G signed on long-term with the team after the NFL season, and since then, the team has brought in Richard Sherman, and locked up Marquise Goodwin to a long-term deal as well. This 49ers team is built to win now, and they could be this season’s Los Angeles Rams.

When it comes time for them to draft in the first round, they should look to bring in a player on the defensive side of the ball. While Sherman definitely upgrades them at cornerback, adding a solid safety via the draft could be the way to go. One player who should hear his name called in the top-10 is Derwin James, a versatile defensive back from Florida State.

James did it all for the Seminoles during his time on campus, playing cornerback, safety, and being the team’s return man. In fact, he leaves school as the all-time leader in return yards, which is pretty incredible considering he missed a lot of time with injuries. He is going to be an elite safety at the next level, and this 49ers secondary could end up being the best in the NFC West before all is said and done.

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