Super Bowl 55: 4 free agents SF 49ers should watch for 2021
By Peter Panacy
No. 1: Cornerback Ross Cockrell, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The SF 49ers are going to lose a lot of cornerbacks this offseason.
Richard Sherman, K’Waun Williams, Dontae Johnson, Ahkello Witherspoon, Jamar Taylor and Jason Verrett are all unrestricted free agents, while Emmanuel Moseley is of the restricted variety. Even if the Niners manage to re-sign a handful of names, they’re still going to need to expend serious efforts to round out the depth chart.
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NFL free agency will be one key way to go, especially considering how many a rookie defensive back struggles transitioning from the college ranks to the pros.
Buccaneers cornerback Ross Cockrell was a name thrown around as a would-be San Francisco target last offseason, mainly to support the depth and provide some starting-caliber experience after tenures with the Pittsburgh Steelers, NY Giants and Carolina Panthers.
Journeymen defenders have value, and Cockrell’s experience would come in handy for a group that’s likely to infuse a lot of depth in 2021.
Plus, with 12 games and two starts under his belt with the Bucs last season, the SF 49ers could target the 29-year-old Cockrell to at least boost the depth chart and as someone who could potentially start.
Next. 49ers' 15 best free-agent acquisitions of all time. dark
Super Bowl 55 kicks off on Sunday, Feb. 7 at 6:30 p.m. ET.