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10 Reasons to be Excited, Worried about the San Francisco 49ers in 2017

By Peter Panacy

Feb 9, 2017; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan speaks to the media between general manager John Lynch and chief executive officer Jed York during a press conference at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 9, 2017; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan speaks to the media between general manager John Lynch and chief executive officer Jed York during a press conference at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 13, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Floyd (15) makes a catch against San Francisco 49ers cornerback Tramaine Brock (26) during the second half at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals won 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 13, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Floyd (15) makes a catch against San Francisco 49ers cornerback Tramaine Brock (26) during the second half at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals won 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

Worry: The 49ers Lack Cornerbacks for Their New Defense

Grant Cohn of the Santa Rosa Press Democrat hit this worry right on the head. He wrote:

"This defense doesn’t work without terrific corners (think Richard Sherman). That’s because the system places the strong safety “in the box” — right in front of the tight end — so the cornerbacks don’t have much help. They’re mostly on their own. They have to be fantastic. The Niners don’t have fantastic corners. They have one who’s young and talented — Rashard Robinson — and one who’s old and short — Tramaine Brock. He doesn’t fit the new scheme. The team needs to replace him."

What Cohn is referring to is San Francisco’s switch to a 4-3 base defense under coordinator Robert Saleh.

Saleh’s defense will put corners “on an island” in many instances. Outside of second-year pro Rashard Robinson and defensive back Jimmie Ward, who likely transitions to safety, the Niners corners are “meh” at best.

More like “ugh.”

Adding K’Waun Williams via free agency helps. He’ll manage nickel duties this season. Yet San Francisco needs to find one, preferably two shutdown corners in this year’s NFL Draft.

While the 2017 prospect class is deep, elite-level coverage guys are always hard to find.