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San Francisco 49ers free agency: Top 5 targets for 2018

By Peter Panacy

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 24: Trumaine Johnson #22 of the Los Angeles Rams attempts to tackle Jeremy Kerley #17 of the San Francisco 49ers during the second half of their game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 24, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 24: Trumaine Johnson #22 of the Los Angeles Rams attempts to tackle Jeremy Kerley #17 of the San Francisco 49ers during the second half of their game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 24, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 12: Trumaine Johnson #22 of the Los Angeles Rams enters the stadium prior to a game against the Houston Texans at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 12, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 12: Trumaine Johnson #22 of the Los Angeles Rams enters the stadium prior to a game against the Houston Texans at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 12, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

No. 5: Cornerback Trumaine Johnson

DraftAnalyst.com Tony Pauline reported Thursday both the 49ers and Oakland Raiders figured to be the primary competitors for soon-to-be former Los Angeles Rams cornerback Trumaine Johnson.

Johnson appears expendable after the Rams acquired former Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Marcus Peters via a trade last month.

Johnson’s production last year slid from the seven-interception campaign he had back in 2015, logging only two picks over 16 games. And Pro Football Focus ranked him the 68th overall cornerback out of 121 qualifiers, posting a 74.2 overall grade in the process.

Still, the Niners are going to be on the hunt for a corner this offseason via free agency or the NFL Draft.

Even John Lynch eluded to this not long ago, saying, “I think anybody who watched us play — I don’t want to say a weakness — but an area of concern for us was the cornerback position.”

It’s not hard to find mock drafts giving the 49ers a cornerback with their first selection. Grabbing one in free agency would shake that need up quite a bit. And while there are other names out there — Malcolm Butler of the New England Patriots and Kyle Fuller of the Chicago Bears — the latest reports seem to be pointing Johnson’s way.