NFL free agency: Top 5 players the 49ers should target in 2019

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – OCTOBER 07: Morris Claiborne #21 of the New York Jets celebrates after breaking up a play in the end zone against the Denver Broncos in the game at MetLife Stadium on October 07, 2018 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /

No. 4: Cornerback Morris Claiborne

Way more than wide receiver, cornerback is a major need for San Francisco in 2019.

Aside from Richard Sherman, no Niners corner has distinguished himself as a reliable option. Second-year pro Ahkello Witherspoon hasn’t exactly panned out. And it wouldn’t hurt to look for an upgrade over nickel cornerback K’Waun Williams either.

The 2019 NFL Draft isn’t exactly deep at cornerback, meaning the 49ers would be wise to explore NFL free agency as a possible option. To address depth, if nothing else.

At 28 years old, New York Jets cornerback Morris Claiborne would be a decent option to either solve those depth needs or, at best, provide a veteran presence fully capable of locking down a starting spot either along the boundary or at nickel.

Claiborne isn’t much of a ballhawk, but that’s OK. He’s posted at least five pass breakups in five of his six seasons prior to 2018. And this year, he’s already up to seven.

Putting things simply, he gets in the way of the pass and the wide receiver.