5 pending free agents 49ers must re-sign in 2021
By Peter Panacy
![George Kittle #85 and Kyle Juszczyk #44 of the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images) George Kittle #85 and Kyle Juszczyk #44 of the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/0e67d3841abad9e9c6baddeb69e2cc3692272ddce7c3ecb2ed1e4ee274fdf9b2.jpg)
No. 5: 49ers Cornerback Emmanuel Moseley
The first player on this list would be a bit easier to bring back, given he’s scheduled to be a restricted free agent in 2021, cornerback Emmanuel Moseley.
Moseley’s ascent last year was something to watch, and his eight pass breakups and one interception over eight regular-season games started ultimately resulted in a eye-catching 70.0 overall grade from Pro Football Focus.
Sure, Moseley was primarily responsible for that now-infamous 3rd-and-15 completion by the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIV, and it’s still too premature to assume Moseley can be an everyday starter at cornerback.
But given San Francisco’s short- and long-term concerns at the position, it’s more than wise to make every effort to retain Moseley for at least another season.
Pegging Moseley with a likely second-round restricted free-agent tender could get the job done, costing the 49ers a very affordable $3.259 million on the one-year deal. And if another team pries away Moseley, the Niners would get a much-needed second-round NFL Draft pick in return.
It would be a win-win situation for Moseley and San Francisco in this case, ensuring the cornerback sticks around and can make an impact in a starter’s role for at least another year while long-term solutions play themselves out.