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Five 25-or-Under NFL Free Agents the 49ers Should Target

By Nicholas McGee

Jan 7, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans cornerback A.J. Bouye (21) and strong safety Corey Moore (43) and cornerback Johnathan Joseph (24) and defensive back Robert Nelson (32) celebrate an interception against the Oakland Raiders during the AFC Wild Card playoff football game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 7, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans cornerback A.J. Bouye (21) and strong safety Corey Moore (43) and cornerback Johnathan Joseph (24) and defensive back Robert Nelson (32) celebrate an interception against the Oakland Raiders during the AFC Wild Card playoff football game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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NFL: AFC Wild Card-Oakland Raiders at Houston Texans
NFL: AFC Wild Card-Oakland Raiders at Houston Texans /

Cornerback A.J. Bouye

The 49ers secondary was one of their better position groups in 2016. But if they want to build on a relative strength, then they should consider making a run at A.J. Bouye.

The Texans defense ranked at No. 5 in the NFL against the pass, according to Football Outsiders’ metrics, and Bouye was a big reason why.

San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers /

San Francisco 49ers

A fast corner with the ability to make plays on the ball, Bouye had 16 passes defensed in 2016, a career-high number, as well as one interception.

He had two picks in the postseason as the Texans fell to the Patriots in the divisional round, and figures to be a hot commodity on the open market, with Houston understandably keen to keep him around.

The 49ers already boast two promising corners in the form of Jimmie Ward and Rashard Robinson. But bringing Bouye could give them the versatility to move the former back to nickel or his collegiate position of safety.

San Francisco’s most recent big-money cornerback acquisition was a failure, the investment in Nate Clements in 2007 not paying the dividends the franchise anticipated.

But Bouye believes his best is yet to come on the back of a breakout year.

“I’m just excited for the future because I know there’s a higher ceiling and more things I got to do,” Bouye, per the Houston Chronicle, said.

“I’m excited to put in the work and just be back out there, wherever it’s at.”

Based on Bouye’s recent play, the 49ers should make a concerted effort to make sure he is getting back out there in red and gold in 2017.