Niner Noise
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3 reasons 49ers passed on cornerbacks in 2020 NFL Draft

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 11: Richard Sherman #25 of the San Francisco 49ers fires the team up on the field prior to the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Levi's Stadium on November 11, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. The Seahawks defeated the 49ers 27-24. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 11: Richard Sherman #25 of the San Francisco 49ers fires the team up on the field prior to the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Levi's Stadium on November 11, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. The Seahawks defeated the 49ers 27-24. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images) /
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Richard Sherman #25, K’Waun Williams #24 and Ahkello Witherspoon #23 of the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images)
Richard Sherman #25, K’Waun Williams #24 and Ahkello Witherspoon #23 of the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images) /

No. 3: 49ers Planning on Re-Signing Three of the Four Starters

There are a lot of moving parts when considering this possible reason, including the inevitability of tight end George Kittle’s pending contract extension, which will be massive. Other future deals for EDGE Nick Bosa and linebacker Fred Warner aren’t going to be cheap, either.

The good news, however, is the 2021 NFL salary cap is expected to increase roughly 20 percent, up from the near-$200 million to $240 million.

This will help the Niners a lot, particularly considering the cap restraints they faced this offseason for the first time in a while. And it’s possible San Francisco is capable of re-signing players like Richard Sherman and K’Waun Williams.

Sherman, who’ll turn 33 years old just after the 2021 league new year starts, might not command a massive contract, especially if he self-negotiates a new deal in which there are plenty of incentives and bonuses again. The 49ers also benefit to an extent nickel cornerbacks rarely make anything close to the amount of money boundary corners receive, even though slot corners are essentially viewed as starters in today’s pass-happy NFL.

Applying a second-round franchise tender on Emmanuel Moseley, assuming he’s slated to be the starter this season and beyond, would also be a cheap option if no other team is willing to send a second-round NFL Draft pick in return.