New 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan and defensive coordinator Robert Saleh met with the media Monday and answered questions about their process in evaluating prospects and defining positions in the new 4-3 defensive scheme ahead of the NFL draft later this month.

Saleh has experience in Seattle and Jacksonville under former Seahawks coordinator Gus Bradley. As expected, he’s using that to create a defense much in the mold of Seattle’s. However, Saleh was clear to specify they’re also altering the expectations to create a scheme and playing style that’s reflective of the players already there. While they may be borrowing from core principles of the Seahawks defense, it will come with a distinct flair that separates the two.

The defense has players that each level that could produce at various positions, but the need to upgrade is apparent. Ultimately, the 32nd-ranked run defense last year can’t trot out the same players and expect to field an elite defense in 2017. The team will have to isolate specific talent in the draft that can fit positions of need immediately. Grabbing two or three prospects could significantly alter the defense moving forward.

Take a look at five draft prospects that fit the 49ers new defensive scheme…

Malik Hooker, FS, Ohio State

Hooker fits just about any scheme. However, Saleh’s press conference may have given insight into how the team might be setting its draft board. Saleh noted, as many expected, that the 49ers will be running a single-high safety look that loads the box with eight defenders.

That’s different than the Cover-2 shell that’s been utilized recently. One safety traditional plays more of a box role – think run support, intermediate routes and contact – while the other plays like a center fielder in baseball. The deep safety has to have tremendous range and an ability to open his hips quickly while demonstrating the closing speed towards the sideline and over the top of receivers.

As Saleh listed the players already on the roster for various positions, the only position that he couldn’t immediately list a fit for was at free safety. Jimmie Ward is the top candidate, but Saleh said he’ll need to see Ward on the field before making any final decisions. The process of elimination suggests that the 49ers ought to be enamored with Hooker. He has the ideal skill set to immediately produce as a top-10 safety in the NFL.