Predicting landing spots for SF 49ers top 5 free agents in 2021
By Peter Panacy
No. 4: Cornerback K’Waun Williams
Like Richard Sherman, nickel cornerback K’Waun Williams spent a good chunk of 2020 on injured lists and only appeared in eight games last season.
When healthy, though, Williams has made his impact felt and is one of the team’s best tacklers. And perhaps one of the wishes from the past few years is Robert Saleh would have blitzed Williams on a more frequent basis. He’s pretty good at that, too, despite his smallish 5-foot-9 frame.
Yet Williams, who’ll turn 30 years old before the start of the regular season, has always played above his size. It’s pretty clear the SF 49ers defense is better with him on the field.
The Niners don’t have enough money to spend big on cornerbacks this offseason. But the good news is nickel backs almost never command as much as boundary corners, meaning a re-sign with San Francisco seems much bigger a possibility.
Familiarity with the system and a realized need from the SF 49ers front office could be all that’s needed to ensure Williams sticks around despite being on the wrong side of 30 years old.
A two-year deal probably gets it done.