Predicting What the San Francisco 49ers Starting Lineup Looks Like in 2018

Dec 4, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde (28) carries the ball against the Chicago Bears during the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 4, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde (28) carries the ball against the Chicago Bears during the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 1, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; 49ers cornerback Rashard Robinson (33) defends San Diego Chargers wide receiver Dom Williams (7) during the fourth quarter at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 1, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; 49ers cornerback Rashard Robinson (33) defends San Diego Chargers wide receiver Dom Williams (7) during the fourth quarter at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /

Cornerback

Right Cornerback: Rashard Robinson

Left Cornerback: Free Agent

Nickel Corner: Will Redmond

The 49ers have a lot of cornerbacks. But outside of second-year pro Rashard Robinson, there aren’t exactly a lot inspiring confidence.

Robinson likely starts in his third year, if he doesn’t already this upcoming season. And that’s fine. He’s one of the better young pieces the Niners have in place.

Expect San Francisco to use some of its large amount of cap space this offseason to sign a veteran cornerback — perhaps a shutdown guy like Los Angeles Rams corner Trumaine Johnson or Houston Texans CB A.J. Bouye.

This likely pushes veteran starting corner Tramaine Brock out of the picture, who will be an unrestricted free agent in 2018 anyway.

Let’s go out on a limb and name 2016 rookie Will Redmond the nickel corner for 2018. Redmond, of course, was the last of former general manager Trent Baalke’s “All-ACL” picks, and Redmond missed all of the 2016 season recovering from said injury.

One can only hope he turns the page and emerges as the only player to justify Baalke’s former NFL Draft gambles.