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NFL free agency: 5 players the 49ers shouldn’t target in 2018

By Jay Marsdale

NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 24: Wide Receiver Sammy Watkins #12 of the Los Angeles Rams carries the ball against the Tennessee Titians at Nissan Stadium on December 24, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 24: Wide Receiver Sammy Watkins #12 of the Los Angeles Rams carries the ball against the Tennessee Titians at Nissan Stadium on December 24, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /
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LANDOVER, MD – DECEMBER 24: Running back C.J. Anderson #22 of the Denver Broncos runs with the ball past outside linebacker Preston Smith #94 and cornerback Bashaud Breeland #26 of the Washington Redskins in the second quarter at FedExField on December 24, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD – DECEMBER 24: Running back C.J. Anderson #22 of the Denver Broncos runs with the ball past outside linebacker Preston Smith #94 and cornerback Bashaud Breeland #26 of the Washington Redskins in the second quarter at FedExField on December 24, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /

No. 5: CB Bashaud Breeland

There are many teams who are in need of top-flight cornerbacks this offseason, including San Francisco. Adding a shutdown corner would open up the defense to do more blitzing and take pressure off of the rest of the defense to play perfect. There are a few options at cornerback in NFL free agency, but one to avoid is Bashaud Breeland.

Breeland was a very serviceable second corner for the Redskins playing alongside Josh Norman, but he is not a shutdown defender. Breeland struggled mightily before Norman arrived to Washington. His lack of size or elite speed make him venerable when going up against top wide receivers.

Breeland is not going to be able to cover a player like Julio Jones, at 6-foot-3, for a full 80 plays on defense. He is much more suited to being a No. 2 or a slot corner in this league. However, his stats and play over the past two seasons will have him as a No. 1 corner somewhere come 2018.

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San Francisco cannot go with an unproven No. 1 corner this offseason. Many people are talking about the offense John Lynch needs to add, but adding a top corner could quickly transform this team. There are better options that Breeland available. Malcolm Butler of the Patriots and Rams cornerback Trumaine Johnson are both better choices this offseason.

Both have proven they can stop the NFL’s best wide receivers, week in and week out, and help the 49ers win football games in 2018.