Niner Noise
FanSided

3 free agents 49ers should target after 2020 NFL Draft

By Peter Panacy

GLENDALE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 9: Tight end Jordan Reed #86 of the Washington Redskins runs during the first half against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 9: Tight end Jordan Reed #86 of the Washington Redskins runs during the first half against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 4
Next
Ross Cockrell, Panthers
Ross Cockrell #47 of the Carolina Panthers (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images) /

No. 2: Cornerback Ross Cockrell

The 49ers appear to have their starting trio of cornerbacks set for 2020: Richard Sherman, Emmanuel Moseley and K’Waun Williams.

Out of the three, Moseley seems the one most in danger of losing a starting job, but that would only come to fruition if he has a meltdown in training camp and/or fellow corner Ahkello Witherspoon plays like he did early in 2019.

Yet the Niners were comfortable enough starting Moseley in the Super Bowl, so that says something.

Depth behind Moseley and Witherspoon, however, isn’t particularly impressive. San Francisco brought back depth cornerbacks Dontae Johnson and Jason Verrett, but Johnson seemed like he was the 53rd player on the team’s 53-man roster last year, regularly being cut and re-signed, while Verrett’s injury history in the NFL continued through 2019, too.

A quality upgrade amid the reserves would be helpful, and former Carolina Panthers cornerback Ross Cockrell could help here.

Cockrell started 11 games in Carolina a year ago, intercepting two passes and defending eight others. While he’s a far cry from a long-term starting option, he at least would alleviate some of those depth cornerback concerns, which didn’t get any better by the 49ers’ lack of corner selections in the NFL Draft.