The San Francisco 49ers never have a dull moment. Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz tweeted that the Niners plan to host free agent safety, Juan Thornhill, for a visit on Thursday. Thornhill has started 74 games in six seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs and the Cleveland Browns.

Thornhill was a second-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. Thornhill started from Day 1 as a rookie. Unfortunately, Thornhill tore his ACL that December.

Thornhill didn’t start the next two seasons as the Chiefs rolled with Daniel Sorensen and Tyrann Mathieu. In 2022, Thornhill started again after Sorensen and Mathieu departed in free agency.

Statistically, he never returned to his pre-ACL numbers. In 2022, Thornhill equaled his rookie interception total but gave up five more touchdown passes, allowing nearly three more yards per target.

Thornhill totaled 806 combined snaps at free safety during the previous two seasons with the Browns. That’s where he’s spent most of his time. He covered kicks in 2023, but Cleveland played Thornhill sparingly on special teams last season.

Thornhill is more of the “centerfield” type of free safety. He’s a curious fit, as missed tackles have long been an issue. His broken + missed tackle rate is north of 20 percent when Thornhill starts.

Part of what made the 49ers’ defense so dominant during Robert Saleh’s tenure was Jimmie Ward and Jaquiski Tartt’s routine plays, like tackling, that below-average to average defenses take for granted.

Each of the safeties the 49ers have either been interested in or have already signed has a specific skill set. Thornhill is more of a coverage type of safety. Richie Grant is a player you play in the box. Jason Pinnock is the “tough guy, blitzer.” Saleh gives himself different combinations, while the 49ers can use each on special teams.