49ers select safety Jimmie Ward with No. 30 pick

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The San Francisco 49ers upgraded their last line of defense with the 30th overall pick in the first round of the draft Thursday, selecting ballhawking safety Jimmie Ward.

The 49ers grabbed a safety in the opening round for the second year in a row, drafting Eric Reid in 2013.

Ward is slightly undersized for a safety, but he has excellent fundamental skills and impressive sideline-to-sideline range. He's at his best when he's allowed to roam the field in deep coverage, reading the quarterback and breaking on passes to generate turnovers. 

Ward was a three-year starter at Northern Illinois. In his final season with the Huskies, he recorded 95 total tackles, seven interceptions and one sack.