5 pending free agents 49ers must re-sign in 2021

No. 4: 49ers Cornerback K’Waun Williams

Nickel cornerbacks rarely receive the attention — or the money — they deserve, possibly because they’re still largely classified as sub-package players and not starters. But in today’s pass-happy NFL with so many three-wide formations, nickel backs are essentially starters.

And the Niners’ own, K’Waun Williams, is among the best in the league today.

Williams and boundary defensive back Richard Sherman were recently named Pro Football Focus’ highest-graded cornerback duo from 2019, and Williams’ 77.2 overall grade helps attest to that ranking.

For a player who’ll be 29 years old by the start of the 2020 season, it’s pretty noticeable San Francisco would like to keep him around for a while, especially after his career-best two interceptions and two pass breakups while discouraging opponents’ quarterbacks from targeting his area of the field.

Perhaps a two-year deal worth just over $6 million would get the job done here, which plays into the notion nickel corners don’t receive the same kind of contracts boundary corners get.

If that’s the case, the 49ers could be comfortable knowing they aren’t losing a key piece to their secondary and wouldn’t have to rely upon the now-injured backup, D.J. Reed, to fill a void he might not be capable of assuming.