San Francisco 49ers: 5 must-do tasks for the 2018 offseason
No. 5: Sign Cornerback Malcom Butler
The worst position for the Niners in 2017 was cornerback.
The 49ers had a total of 10 interceptions as a team, and their cornerbacks accounted for only five of those. This placed the Niners a lowly 24th in team interceptions in 2017. The Niners also ranked 22nd in pass yards given up, with 3,764, and 25th in pass touchdowns allowed, giving up 27 on the season.
San Francisco 49ers
As a result, there becomes a clear need at cornerback.
The 49ers are deep at safety. Starting free safety Jimmie Ward was injured in the team’s Week 8 contest versus the Eagles at Philadelphia. Due to a fractured forearm, Ward missed the final eight games of 2017. Rookie seventh-round draft choice Adrian Colbert took Ward’s spot. Since then, the 49ers have found stability at the free safety position.
At strong safety, 49ers starter Jaquiski Tartt battened down the hatches, as Bleacher Report’s Kyle Posey and Doug Farrar ranked Tartt third out of 54 qualifying safeties, behind only Harrison Smith and Patrick Chung.
Especially relevant, was the 49ers mid-season trade of cornerback Rashard Robinson to the New York Jets. Rookie cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon became the starting left corner as a result. Witherspoon recorded two of the 49ers 10 interceptions.
Remember, the corners only had five total, including the two by Witherspoon. The rookie was pretty good in the final eight games of the season. In 12 games, including nine starts, Witherspoon recorded 32 total tackles, seven passes defensed, two interceptions and one forced fumble. Witherspoon was solid in coverage and seemed to get better each week.
But on the other side, starting right cornerback Donte Johnson was awful. He started all 16 games and recorded 77 tackles, but was not good covering. Johnson drew a lot of penalties as well. His lone interception came against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 16 and went for a touchdown the other way. But the play was deceiving, as Johnson was the beneficiary of a tipped pass. Johnson had the speed to capitalize but that speed only got him seven pass defenses.
It took Johnson almost twice as long to match Witherspoon’s pass breakups.
To fix their cornerback conundrum, the 49ers can target several free-agent corners. Chicago Bears cornerback Kyle Fuller leads a strong list and would be a great addition to the team’s secondary. New England Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler would be the apple of my eye, though, and should be the guy the team targets.
Dispelling a Myth
While it is concerning the Patriots benched Butler in Super Bowl LII, it shouldn’t stop the 49ers from reaching out to Butler’s agent.
As I’ve talked about in my second latest Niner Noise article, NFL Free Agency: Why the 49ers should sign CB Malcolm Butler 49ers players are screaming to bring the former Super Bowl XLIX hero to the Bay Area.
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
Might as well come to Cali now... @Mac_BZ ☀️☀️
— Jaquiski ‘Quaski’ Tartt (@quaski) February 7, 2018
Butler’s stat line is also similar to his last two seasons:
Did Butler’s play really drop off? Is he a product of the Patriots system? What about the Patriots non-existent pass rush early in 2017?
John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan will certainly know the answers to these questions and pull the trigger if necessary. Because of their greatness, there is confidence that the pass defense will improve and the right players acquired for the 2018 season.