San Francisco 49ers: Ranking the top 5 free-agent targets in 2019
By Peter Panacy
No. 3: Cornerback Bryce Callahan
Few positions on the 49ers roster experienced more criticism in 2018 than cornerback. It’s an area the team needs to address, and then some, during the offseason.
While quality boundary corners on the open market are relatively few, there’s an excellent option at nickel: Chicago Bears corner Bryce Callahan. Unlike the first two names on this list, Callahan is young at 27 years old and getting what will wind up being his first big free-agent deal.
That’ll drive up the price, but only to a point. Nickel cornerbacks don’t typically command the top dollar outside corners get, which is good news for San Francisco. And to make it even more enticing, just consider what Pro Football Focus said about Callahan:
"Once an afterthought, the importance of the slot cornerback has begun to come to light in recent seasons and Callahan was one of the best in 2018. He shut down the slot week in and week out, allowing just 0.69 receiving yards per coverage snap in the slot which was the fewest among the 30 cornerbacks who played at least 200 coverage snaps."
light. Related Story. 49ers should pursue free-agent cornerback Bryce Callahan
OK, so the Niners already have a starting cornerback in K’Waun Williams. And 2018 rookie, D.J. Reed, flashed promise when seeing time here, too.
But Callahan is an upgrade over both players, and San Francisco has already shown a willingness to move on from would-be favorites towards upgrades.
That’s important, especially when teams like the Rams and Arizona Cardinals love to feature talented wideouts in the slot, like Cooper Kupp and Larry Fitzgerald, respectively.