San Francisco 49ers: 5 First-round targets in 2018 NFL Draft

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CHESTNUT HILL, MA – OCTOBER 07: Harold Landry #7 of the Boston College Eagles attempts to tackle Travon McMillian #34 of the Virginia Tech Hokies at Alumni Stadium on October 7, 2017 in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. (Photo by Tim Bradbury/Getty Images) /

Harold Landry, EDGE, Boston College

The 49ers would probably love to draft NC State edge rusher Bradley Chubb, but he seems even less likely to fall than Nelson. Thankfully Landry should still be on the board by the time pick No. 9 rolls around, and he has the skill set to be the difference-making edge rusher the 49ers defense has long since lacked.

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Capable of winning with bend and dip to turn the corner, quickness to gain interior penetration and power that enables him to drive opposing linemen backwards, Landry is a player with a top-five set of tools who will represent incredible value if the Niners can get him back to the kind of form that saw him produce 22.5 tackles for loss and 16 sacks in 2016.

Derwin James, S, Florida State

The draft is as much about building on strengths as it is about filling holes and, with Adrian Colbert, Jaquiski Tartt and Jimmie Ward on the roster, safety is definitely a strength. But the latter duo are each heading into the final year of their contracts and James has much more in the way of athletic upside and is an ideal fit for the box safety-linebacker hybrid role Tartt and Eric Reid each filled last year.

Described by many as a more athletic Kam Chancellor, James is tall and rangy and can make an impact at all three levels of the defense. He can get downhill and pursue sideline to sideline against the run, cover both wide receivers and running backs and has shown an ability to impact the game as a pass rusher.

This defense needs as many playmakers as possible and James certainly fits the bill.