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Niner Noise

10 Available Free Agents Who Could Still Help the San Francisco 49ers in 2016

By Peter Panacy

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Aug 29, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Washington Redskins defensive back Chris Culliver (29) and Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Steve Smith (89) get into a fight during the first quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. Both player were ejected from the game. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 29, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Washington Redskins defensive back Chris Culliver (29) and Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Steve Smith (89) get into a fight during the first quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. Both player were ejected from the game. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 2: Cornerback Chris Culliver

This probably won’t happen, but the 49ers could go after recently released cornerback — and former Niner — Chris Culliver.

Culliver broke out in 2014, his last season with the 49ers, and ended up posting a plus-10.7 pass-coverage grade over his final 13 games of the year, according to Jeff Deeney of Pro Football Focus.

This led to Culliver’s big pay day with the Washington Redskins on the free-agent market the subsequent year, but the cornerback’s efforts in Washington were far from desirable.

And the Redskins didn’t exactly need him after signing free-agent cornerback Josh Norman earlier in the offseason.

David Fucillo of Niners Nation doesn’t see the 49ers trying to lure Culliver back to the Bay Area, based on their young crop of up-and-coming corners alone. But, as noted earlier, what if this depth doesn’t pan out?

Why He Could Help

Culliver’s best season came with the 49ers, although that was with former defensive coordinator Vic Fangio and former defensive backs coach Ed Donatell. The scheme is entirely different now, and who knows if Culliver would be able to adjust.

He does, however, have continuity with defensive backs Eric Reid, Antoine Bethea and Tramaine Brock. That could only help.

Next: Linebacker Mike Neal