Niner Noise
FanSided

Predicting the 49ers’ biggest moves in NFL free agency

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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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – NOVEMBER 12: Pierre Desir #35 of the Indianapolis Colts celebrates with Nate Hairston #27 against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first quarter at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 12, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – NOVEMBER 12: Pierre Desir #35 of the Indianapolis Colts celebrates with Nate Hairston #27 against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first quarter at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 12, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

No. 4: Cornerback Pierre Desir

Unless San Francisco is actively hoping it gets excellent bounce-back years from outside cornerbacks Ahkello Witherspoon and Tarvarius Moore in 2018, this position should be yet another priority this offseason.

28-year-old veteran cornerback Pierre Desir has bounced around the league a bit after being selected by the Cleveland Browns in Round 4 of the 2014 NFL Draft. Last year, though, he found himself a regular role with the Indianapolis Colts, playing in all 16 regular-season games and starting 12 of them. And he set career highs in both tackles (79) and passes defended (eight). Pro Football Focus also gave him a solid 77.7 overall grade on the year.

It can be dangerous for teams to aggressively target players coming off their first breakout season, which would be the case for Desir.

Yet he fits the mold for defensive coordinator Robert Saleh’s Cover 3 zone scheme. At 6-foot-1 and 198 pounds, Desir has the body type ideal for boundary play. And he’s still in his prime years.

Plus, he’d likely be an upgrade over both Witherspoon and Moore anyway, meaning the Niners would be caring for both their depth and starting needs within the secondary — areas that need to be addressed in 2019.