5 moves the 49ers need to make this 2018 offseason
By Peter Panacy
No. 1: Sign Cornerback Kyle Fuller in Free Agency
The 49ers need a quality starting cornerback opposite last year’s breakout star, Ahkello Witherspoon. No. 2 corner Dontae Johnson didn’t cut it in 2017, and he’s unsigned for 2018 anyway. It would be a shock to see San Francisco bring him back.
New England Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler might be the big name. Heck, even 49ers wide receiver Pierre Garçon made attempts on Twitter to recruit Butler:
Yo yo @Mac_BZ come to The Bay. @49ers we got CAP SPACE, a QB and the best receivers in the division are on your team. You won’t have to worry about the head coach being all up in the videos. All in the way and stuff. One goal in mind over here. #SB53 Let’s Get It #49erFaithful
— Pierre Garçon (@PierreGarcon) February 7, 2018
Brown could be fine. But there’s another player Niners fans should be more intrigued by: Chicago Bears corner Kyle Fuller.
Fuller hits free agency this offseason. A bit of a reclamation project, Fuller bounced back nicely in 2017 with two interceptions — including one off Jimmy Garoppolo — and a career-high 22 passes defended.
Better yet, opposing quarterbacks had a passer rating of 69.0 when targeting Fuller last season, per Pro Football Focus, which ranked 14th best among qualifying corners and way better than Butler’s 96.6 rating allowed.
Fuller is a year younger than Butler too, making him the smarter choice.
Next: 5 free agents the 49ers can target to help Jimmy Garoppolo
If San Francisco is able to pull of a couple of these moves, the team will be in vastly better shape to contend within the NFC West and, arguably, have a legit shot at making the postseason in 2018.