5 free agents SF 49ers must avoid signing in 2021
By Peter Panacy
SF 49ers Free Agent to Avoid No. 3: Cornerback Patrick Peterson
It can be wise to purge free agents from divisional rivals, yet the SF 49ers also need to steer clear of Arizona Cardinals veteran cornerback Patrick Peterson this offseason.
True, no position on the Niners roster is likely to go through more free-agent attrition than the cornerback spot. Richard Sherman, Ahkello Witherspoon, Jason Verrett, Dontae Johnson, K’Waun Williams and Jamar Taylor are all poised to hit NFL free agency this offseason, and even reserve corner Emmanuel Moseley is a restricted free agent.
But while it’s generally smart to have some veteran presence at this vital playmaking spot, the perennial Pro Bowler, Peterson, is one name to avoid.
For starters, Peterson is teetering at that age where his playmaking abilities are going to wane. He’ll turn 32 years old before the start of the 2021 season. And while his previous Pro Bowl accolades were impressive enough, his on-field play last year was noticeably worse than what it had been earlier in his career.
It doesn’t look like he’s returning either, according to FanSided’s Matt Verderame:
Per source, the Arizona Cardinals and former All-Pro cornerback Patrick Peterson are parting ways barring a significant change in stances.
— Matt Verderame (@MattVerderame) February 8, 2021
Peterson, 30, has enjoyed eight Pro Bowl and three First-Team All-Pro campaigns since being selected No. 5 overall in the 2011 Draft.
According to Pro Football Focus, Peterson posted a measly 55.2 overall grade in 2020 with opposing quarterbacks boasting a 100.8 passer rating when targeting him in coverage.
Neither number is good, and it’s a pretty solid indicator of what’s to come.
For the money Peterson would likely command based on his name alone, San Francisco would be smarter to invest in this position by other means.