3 moves 49ers should make before 2020 NFL Draft
By Peter Panacy
No. 1: 49ers Target a Low-Budget Cornerback for Competition
Wide receiver figures to be one of San Francisco’s top needs in the draft. And yet the team brought aboard a veteran, Travis Benjamin, on a one-year deal to at least spike the competition at the position during training camp.
More from Niner Noise
- 49ers 2023 NFL Draft tracker: Pick-by-pick news and analysis
- Predicting 49ers NFL Draft picks by looking at final mocks
- DraftKings NFL Draft Promo – Win $150 Guaranteed on Any $5 Bet
- 2023 NFL Draft: EDGE Byron Young could be impact player for 49ers
- 5 low-key NFL Draft options for 49ers who are flying under the radar
Outside of wide receiver, cornerback appears to be the second-biggest need. Richard Sherman, Ahkello Witherspoon and K’Waun Williams are all entering contract years, and it’s still a bit premature to assume fellow corner Emmanuel Moseley is primed to be a full-time starter.
The 49ers can afford to add some competition for training camp, grabbing a low-budget player who can potentially compete for a long-term starting option even if the Niners add yet another corner in the NFL Draft.
Former Carolina Panthers cornerback Ross Cockrell, 28 years old, figures to be a low-cost option. Former Las Vegas Raiders corner Daryl Worley is also out there and has youth on his side.
San Francisco can go the veteran route with former New York Jets and Kansas City Chiefs corner Morris Claiborne, and even the perennial Pro Bowler, Aqib Talib, could be a one-year target for some experienced savvy.
The important thing to note is any cornerback targeted would have to be budgeted in. But making some of the previously mentioned moves could easily free up enough money for a low-cost deal.
Next. 49ers players who stand to be losers after 2020 NFL Draft. dark
If grabbing a cornerback only helps with depth entering training camp, fine. Anything beyond that should be a bonus, too.