49ers roster: Predicting cornerback depth chart after re-signing Jason Verrett

When free agency began in the NFL for the 2021 season there was a very clear indicator of who the most important free agent for the San Francisco 49ers to re-sign was.

That was without a doubt offensive tackle Trent Williams.

Williams, the eight-time Pro Bowler, was the only silver lining for the Niners last season on an offensive line that lacked consistency at other spots.

There however was another position group in which re-signing players could have the potential to make or break San Francisco’s 2021 season. The cornerback position was one that saw all of its key players from the 2020 season become free agents.

The primary cornerback that needed to be re-signed was Jason Verrett. In the 2020 season in which the 49ers were ranked 21st in overall offense, they managed to come out much better on the defensive side. They ranked number four overall in passing defense. This was in large part due to the contributions of Verrett.

Although he didn’t make a Pro Bowl selection in 2020, his numbers spoke to his efficiency. He had consistently high Pro Football Focus grades from week to week.

He held opponents to a 76.3 passer rating when throwing against him, and only ceded one touchdown all season long when in coverage. He was ultimately ranked at 98 on the PFF Top 101 for the 2020 season.

At the age of 29 (he will be 30 before the season starts) with the level of experience he has, Verrett will undoubtedly be cornerback No. 1 for San Francisco in the 2021 season. However, the rest of the cornerback depth chart could be a bit of a wild card depending on the draft, and how the season progresses.