NFL free agency: 5 under-the-radar players 49ers should target in 2019
By Aaron Tan
No. 5: Cornerback Bradley Roby
Denver Broncos cornerback Bradley Roby is a young former first-round pick who has been struggling as of late, which makes for the perfect opportunity for the 49ers to jump in and add depth to a position of need.
Roby was merely the third cornerback of the Denver Broncos’ “No Fly Zone” Super Bowl-winning defensive squad. But he was a big reason why they won the championship, tallying three pass breakups in the game. His performance in the Super Bowl summed up much of his young career as a backup — coming in on limited snaps, but making those snaps count. And that’s all that matters.
Unfortunately, after Denver traded starting cornerback Aqib Talib to the Rams last offseason, Roby slid in the starting cornerback spot and struggled with consistency. His performance on the field was all over the place, and because of that, it seems like he is on his way out of Denver.
Even though Ahkello Witherspoon came on in the latter half of the 49ers’ 2018 season, there is still reason to worry about the cornerback depth on this team. The talent is there for Roby — he’s proved it for the majority of his young NFL career. With the right coaching (especially with veteran corner Richard Sherman making it his mission to mentor young defensive backs) and a change of scenery, Roby can flourish here in San Francisco.