5 free agents SF 49ers can purge from NFC West teams in 2021
By Peter Panacy
No. 1: Cornerback Troy Hill, LA Rams
Again, cornerback is going to be a pressing need for the SF 49ers this offseason, and adding boundary players isn’t the only route Kyle Shanahan and Co. will take.
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K’Waun Williams is the big name to watch here. One of the best nickel defensive backs in the league, he still won’t command as much as free-agent boundary corners but could still end up costing more than what the Niners are comfortable with. Combine that with backup nickel cornerback Jamar Taylor being poised for free agency, it wouldn’t hurt if San Francisco explored some other free-agent options this offseason.
Such as Rams cornerback Troy Hill.
Hill would bring both playmaking ability and long-term veteran savvy to the fray, both useful if the SF 49ers’ defensive backfield undergoes some massive changes this offseason.
At 29 years old, Hill still has a few more years left at his prime and is coming off a regular season where he produced a career-best 77 tackles, 3 interceptions, two defensive touchdowns, a forced fumble and 10 pass breakups.
Impressive, putting it lightly.
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Those numbers will drive up his price tag, yes. But if the Niners look to replace Williams this offseason, few options would be better than Hill.