49ers rumors: Niners interested in CB DeAndre Baker, should pursue him

The SF 49ers have long-term cornerback needs and are rumored to have interest in former NY Giants cornerback DeAndre Baker.

Considering the bulk of their cornerbacks will be free agents in 2021, the SF 49ers absolutely should be interested in bringing aboard former New York Giants cornerback DeAndre Baker.

Baker, the Giants’ first-round pick from the 2019 NFL Draft, has had a tumultuous early start to his pro career stemming from off-field events, which included a May 2020 arrest warrant on charges of armed robbery and aggravated assault with a firearm.

The Giants subsequently waived the No. 30 overall pick out of Georgia last September, making him a free agent after he went through waivers.

All charges against Baker were dropped on Nov. 16, however, according to this report from ESPN.

Should the Niners be interested? Absolutely.

And according to a report from Paul Schwartz of the New York Daily Post, they are:

"Baker is a free agent and can sign anywhere. There is already interest and there is little doubt he will be picked up relatively soon. The Chiefs, Bengals, 49ers, Jaguars and Cowboys have made inquiries, according to an NFL source.The NFL said Baker “is free to sign with any team without any concern as to his placement on the commissioner’s exempt list,” according to a document viewed by The Post."

The report also stated the Giants aren’t interested in a reunion with Baker, citing poor play early in his rookie as well as some attitude problems, although one can assume the reality young defensive backs often struggle transitioning to the pro ranks.

And Baker’s recent legal run-ins could have humbled him, too.

SF 49ers long-term cornerback needs mandate interest in DeAndre Baker

San Francisco is going to be pressed for salary cap space in 2021, yes. But a proverbial “elephant in the room” is the fact the SF 49ers are going to potentially lose the bulk of their secondary to free agency this offseason.

Cornerbacks Richard Sherman, Emmanuel Moseley (RFA), Ahkello Witherspoon, Jason Verrett and K’Waun Williams are all scheduled for free agency next year, and it’s going to be a long shot for the Niners to re-sign all of them. Verrett, who has played well this season after seeing just six regular-season games from 2016 through 2019, could be the top re-sign priority along with Williams, the 49ers’ top nickel corner.

But both players could command contracts outside San Francisco’s comfort range.

Baker, meanwhile, could be a safer long-term option to at least bulk up the depth chart, guarding against any injury attrition at the position over the remainder of 2020 while also potentially working himself into the mix to start next year.

During his rookie season, Baker recorded 61 combined tackles with eight pass breakups over 16 games played last year.