SF 49ers: 4 players who’ll keep rest of 2020 interesting
By Peter Panacy
No. 2: SF 49ers Cornerback Jason Verrett
One of the major plusses from an otherwise painful 2020 campaign for San Francisco has been the bounceback year from veteran cornerback Jason Verrett.
Verrett, whose injuries limited him to just six regular-season games between 2016 and 2019, has been the SF 49ers’ best and most reliable defensive back over the course of 2020. One could make the argument he’s the biggest reason why the Niners still boast a top-10 pass defense through nine weeks despite the sub-.500 record.
On top of that, Pro Football Focus has awarded him with a very respectable 78.3 overall grade on the season.
Verrett should be in the discussion for Comeback Player of the Year once the season is through. But what’s more important is the Niners’ long-term situation at cornerback. Richard Sherman, Ahkello Witherspoon, K’Waun Williams and Emmanuel Moseley are all scheduled for free agency in 2021. Verrett is, too, making his status and fit for next season very much a big question.
Should the SF 49ers retain Verrett, knowing his high-end play this season will only increase his asking price?
Doing so would come at the risk of his lengthy injury history, although the lack of other bodies at the position might force San Francisco’s hand.
Either way, the remaining seven games will likely influence the decision with Verrett one way or another.