Niner Noise
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San Francisco 49ers: Ranking 5 biggest offseason targets in 2019

By Peter Panacy

SEATTLE, WA - DECEMBER 14: Free safety Earl Thomas #29 of the Seattle Seahawks celebrates a defensive stand in the third quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at CenturyLink Field on December 14, 2014 in Seattle, Washington. The Seahawks defeated the 49ers 17-7. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - DECEMBER 14: Free safety Earl Thomas #29 of the Seattle Seahawks celebrates a defensive stand in the third quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at CenturyLink Field on December 14, 2014 in Seattle, Washington. The Seahawks defeated the 49ers 17-7. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, AZ – OCTOBER 23: Free safety Earl Thomas #29 of the Seattle Seahawks on the sidelines during the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 23, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – OCTOBER 23: Free safety Earl Thomas #29 of the Seattle Seahawks on the sidelines during the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 23, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

player. 36. . Free Safety. Seahawks. Earl Thomas. 2

As important as a good cover cornerback is in a Cover 3 scheme, a free safety is arguably more crucial.

The 49ers managed to purge one disgruntled former Seahawks player a year ago, cornerback Richard Sherman. That move worked out well.

So why not repeat that effort again in the 2019 free-agent market, grabbing perhaps the best free safety in the league right now, six-time Pro Bowler Earl Thomas?

Thomas’ discontent with Seattle and his contract situation unfortunately culminated in his season-ending leg injury. He won’t be back with the Seahawks next year. And while he’ll certainly get more than the four-year, $40 million deal he received the last time his contract ink was drying, it might not be quite as much in the wake of his injury.

Either way, the Niners can afford the price tag and make a huge splash to address one of their biggest needs.

Especially considering current starting free safety, Jimmie Ward, is heading to free agency this offseason. Pair this with the guy Ward replaced, Adrian Colbert, suffering regression in 2018 before landing on injured reserve with an ankle injury.

Thomas, who’ll turn 30 years old before the 2019 season, is an immediate upgrade over either current 49ers player.

And then some.