3 remaining free agents who have connections to 49ers

49ers Free-Agent Target No. 1: Safety Eric Reid

On the one hand, it doesn’t seem too likely the 49ers’ top pick from the 2013 NFL Draft, safety Eric Reid, would want a reunion with the team that originally selected him. More than once, Reid has been critical of his former squad, including these comments from when he and the Carolina Panthers visited Levi’s Stadium last season:

"More from SF 49ers Free Agency Former 49ers kicker Robbie Gould still wants to play for Bears 49ers bolster wide receiver room by grabbing Chris Conley 49ers news: Kerry Hyder is back to bolster defensive line depth Low-risk free agents 49ers can still target before NFL Draft 49ers aren’t talking to this free agent (but they should) The way they run the organization. Ask anybody who has been there and they’ll tell you the same. I remember they changed my position in a contract year. I remember they released NaVorro [Bowman], who led the league in tackles [in 2015], and asked me to play his position. They told me it was best for the team. I disagreed. I thought the NFL tackling leader was best for the team, but I did what I was told."

Sentiments aside, there are reasons why the Niners could consider Reid as a potential option for their secondary.

Reid is only 28 years old, so it’s not as if he’s getting up there in age. Plus, unlike the Niners’ current starting strong safety, Jaquiski Tartt, Reid doesn’t come with a lengthy injury history. Tartt, meanwhile, has missed 19 regular-season games over the past three years and will be a free agent in 2021. Free safety Jimmie Ward also has an injury history as well, and Reid has experience playing both spots in the secondary.

Under San Francisco’s current coaching staff, too.

If the 49ers were overly worried about their safety situation, or suffer an injury in camp to one of the two starters, Reid wouldn’t necessarily be the worst option for the team to consider.

That is if Reid would be open to it, of course.