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San Francisco 49ers: ‘Keep or Cut’ Calls on 10 Notable Players for 2017

By Peter Panacy

Nov 6, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) looks on from the sidelines before the game against the New Orleans Saints during the first quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 6, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) looks on from the sidelines before the game against the New Orleans Saints during the first quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 19, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; San Francisco 49ers cornerback Tramaine Brock (26) before the game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 19, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; San Francisco 49ers cornerback Tramaine Brock (26) before the game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 6: Cornerback Tramaine Brock

I remember former Niner Noise contributor, now with Bleacher Report, Jerod Brown predicting veteran cornerback Tramaine Brock could easily lose his starting job in 2016, let alone his spot on the 49ers roster at some point soon.

Parting ways with Brock wouldn’t be hard. He’s entering the final year of his contract, and cutting him would save $3.55 million at a cost of just $750,000 in dead money.

Brock’s numbers from 2016 are deceiving. According to Pro Football Focus, Brock was San Francisco’s best-graded defensive back, posting an impressive 81.8 mark. But as PFF’s Jeff Deeney described in this Twitter thread, things get bad when Brock is burned on the field:

The 49ers have a lot of cornerbacks on their roster and an up-and-coming player in Rashard Robinson. Additionally, this year’s NFL Draft class at cornerback is considered very deep. So maybe the Niners look for an upgrade.

Yet considering it often takes time for young defensive backs to mature and develop at the NFL level, the Niners would be wise to see Brock through the final year of his contract.

Verdict: Keep