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San Francisco 49ers: Pros & cons for signing cornerback Richard Sherman

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CA - OCTOBER 22: Richard Sherman #25 of the Seattle Seahawks stands on the field before their game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on October 22, 2015 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - OCTOBER 22: Richard Sherman #25 of the Seattle Seahawks stands on the field before their game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on October 22, 2015 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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SEATTLE, WA – DECEMBER 23: Richard Sherman #25 of the Seattle Seahawks reacts after ne intercepted a pass in the second half against the San Francisco 49ers at Qwest Field on December 23, 2012 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA – DECEMBER 23: Richard Sherman #25 of the Seattle Seahawks reacts after ne intercepted a pass in the second half against the San Francisco 49ers at Qwest Field on December 23, 2012 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) /

Pros for the 49ers Signing Richard Sherman

The Niners need cornerbacks this offseason. Preferably they land one in free agency; someone to pair with second-year pro Ahkello Witherspoon in 2018 and beyond.

First, there’s the obvious production. Richard Sherman even tweeted this out after his Friday release:

Sherman’s 82.7 overall Pro Football Focus grade in 2017 was down from the previous year (84.4), which was down from 2016 (86.7). But that’s still a major upgrade over anything the 49ers had outside Witherspoon’s 81.1 mark. And it’s still impossible to ignore a player, who has made the Pro Bowl four times and was named a first-team All-Pro three times.

There’s more than just the stats and analytics, though.

Remember, coordinator Robert Saleh is a disciple of the Seahawks’ defensive system. It’s a 4-3 Under, Cover 3 scheme in San Francisco — a virtual clone of what Sherman thrived in with Seattle over his entire tenure there.

It should be a seamless transition. And with the Niners ushering a youthful secondary, Sherman’s veteran prowess and experience has its merits.

Sherman even hinted at a willingness to go to a building team like the 49ers, saying such last Friday on Seattle’s KIRO 97.3 (h/t ESPN):

"Would I go to a young secondary that is like we were when we were younger and help them grow and help them advance? Sure, if the number looks right and the situation is comfortable for me and my family."

Still, there are just as many reasons to be skeptical about such a deal. Let’s tackle those.