SF 49ers free agency: 5 cornerbacks Niners should target in 2021

The SF 49ers may see sizable turnover in their secondary in 2021, meaning these five pending free-agent cornerbacks should be targets.

Despite missing a number of their key defensive players this season, the SF 49ers have still managed to boast a top-five pass defense through 11 weeks of regular-season football.

That’s pretty exemplary when considering there hasn’t been much of a pass rush, and the defense has been without three of its top veteran defensive backs — Richard Sherman, Jaquiski Tartt and K’Waun Williams — for extended periods of time.

It’s admirable how the Niners have met the challenges of those players being out with injuries this season. But arguably the bigger challenge will be how the team builds its secondary next year.

Tartt, a pending free agent, has two potential long-term replacements already on the roster: Marcell Harris and Jared Mayden. But the cornerback situation is far from certain. Sherman, Williams, Jason Verrett, Ahkello Witherspoon, Dontae Johnson, Jamar Taylor and Emmanuel Moseley are all ticketed for NFL free agency next year, and San Francisco is pegged to have just over $23 million in available cap space for 2021.

Simply put, the bulk of the names aren’t going to be back.

While the 2021 NFL Draft is always an option, young defensive backs often struggle to transition from the college ranks to the pros. This means it’s often wise to bring aboard a veteran corner with practical experience if the price is right.

Here are five pending free agents the SF 49ers should consider and target this offseason.

No. 5: Emmanuel Moseley, SF 49ers

The first player on this list is a relatively easy one, Moseley.

A restricted free agent in 2021, the Niners have some greater control on their abilities to retain a player whom the team felt comfortable enough starting in Super Bowl LIV last February. While Moseley has had his up-and-down moments this season, he’s at least shown the ability to be reliable enough, both as a starter and high-profile backup.

Additionally, Moseley has the flexibility to double both on the boundary and at nickel, potentially guarding against Williams possibly leaving in free agency, too.

One might guess San Francisco places a second-round tender on Moseley in 2021, which would cost $3.422 million. That’s affordable for a starting-caliber player and would ensure at least one returnee would be gracing the defensive backfield if most of the others depart for the open market.