49ers Weigh Secondary Moves After Ward Departure

The San Francisco 49ers continue to face questions in their secondary, particularly at safety and cornerback, after losing Charvarius Ward in free agency and dealing with injuries and underperformance. There is debate within the organization and among analysts about whether to target top free agent safeties like Julian Blackmon or Justin Simmons or to pursue a trade for Tampa Bay's Jamel Dean at cornerback. Some suggest the team should assess its internal options before making external additions. Elsewhere in the league, Clemson's defensive linemen T.J. Parker, DeMonte Capehart, and Peter Woods are emerging as top prospects for the 2026 NFL Draft, drawing interest from teams such as the Kansas City Chiefs. The Atlanta Falcons, meanwhile, are ranked 21st in early 2025 power rankings but remain optimistic about their rookie class and offensive talent.