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

San Francisco 49ers running back Kyle Juszczyk (44) Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
San Francisco 49ers running back Kyle Juszczyk (44) Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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K'Waun Williams, 49ers
K’Waun Williams #24 of the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /

SF 49ers Re-Sign Target No. 3: Cornerback K’Waun Williams

2020 Cap Hit: $3,184,375

San Francisco’s secondary could look vastly different in 2021 than it does now. In addition to Richard Sherman, Ahkello Witherspoon and possibly Emmanuel Moseley playing elsewhere next year, the SF 49ers could also potentially lose strong safety Jaquiski Tartt and nickel cornerback K’Waun Williams.

If the Niners are forced to choose between the two, Williams is the player to retain.

Williams, despite a somewhat-lengthy knee injury in 2021, remains one of the NFL’s best nickel corners, and his 69.6 pass-coverage grade, per Pro Football Focus, is a testament to that. With the prevalence of 11-personnel offensive formations (three WRs, one TE, one RB) in today’s pass-happy NFL, nickel corners are essentially starters in current defensive formations.

There’s no reason to let Williams walk in NFL free agency.

At 29 years old, Williams is likely going to be looking to cash in on his last, best contract once he hits the open market. The good news, though, is nickel backs rarely receive the kind of compensation boundary corners receive, making a Williams re-sign much more affordable from San Francisco’s limited financial vantage point.