San Francisco 49ers: Creating the Ideal Roster in 2017

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Sep 12, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers right cornerback Jimmie Ward (25) and cornerback Rashard Robinson (33) reacts in the game against the San Francisco 49ers. The 49ers won 28-0. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports /

Cornerback

Right Cornerback: Rashard Robinson

Left Cornerback: Trumaine Johnson (free agency)

Nickel Cornerback: Jimmie Ward

It’s time for the 49ers to move on from cornerback Tramaine Brock, at least in a starting role.

San Francisco has a number of corners. But only a handful are worth looking at as long-term pieces.

Second-year pro Rashard Robinson is obviously one of them. So he easily gets a not as a starter on the outside. And we can bank on some notable improvement after his rookie year, as young defensive backs tend to go.

And there shouldn’t be much concern about slot corner Jimmie Ward retaining a similar role in 2017 either. He was one of San Francisco’s better defenders last season.

But the 49ers have to splurge big to add a true shutdown corner, and they do this by adding Los Angeles Rams cornerback Trumaine Johnson in free agency.

Johnson posted an 81.0 overall grade, according to Pro Football Focus, in 2016. Adding him would also hinder San Francisco’s NFC West division rival too.

Let’s go with a four-year, $45 million contract for the 27-year-old free agent.