49ers free agency: 5 still-available players Niners can target
By Peter Panacy
49ers Free-Agent Target No. 2: Cornerback K’Waun Williams
Sticking with the cornerback theme here, it’s a bit of a shock there hasn’t been much movement on nickel cornerback K’Waun Williams, and some may argue he was a bigger re-sign priority than Jason Verrett.
Williams, one of John Lynch’s first free-agent pickups back in 2017, and the 5-foot-9 defensive back showed why he was such an essential part of San Francisco’s defense ever since even if he missed eight games last year because of various injuries.
The New York Jets were in the running for Williams’ services, and it makes sense given his former defensive coordinator, Robert Saleh, would want to recruit players he once coached to revamp his new team. Yet there haven’t been any developments on that front, and Williams remains a free agent.
The 49ers could still be seeking a starting-caliber nickel back this offseason. While Williams is getting up there in age — he’ll turn 30 years old before the start of the regular season — his impact on the Niners defense the last four years can’t be understated.
Even if it’s just a one-year return deal, such a move would ensure some defensive-backfield carryover for 2021.
And the longer the market remains cool on Williams, the likelihood of him being re-signed on the cheap increases.