3 free agents 49ers should consider with NFL Draft complete

49ers Free-Agent Target No. 1: Cornerback Richard Sherman

Whether or not there’s any buzz surrounding the idea the 49ers add either Melvin Ingram or Golden Tate is yet to be determined.

There is, however, the buzz surrounding the notion veteran cornerback Richard Sherman could make a return to the Niners after hitting the NFL free agency market when his original three-year deal expired.

Read More: Now’s the time for 49ers to re-sign Richard Sherman

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Sherman, who also just turned 33 years old, dealt with plenty of calf injuries last season and has easily lost a step. But as one of the most cerebral of defenders out there in the league, it’s not hard to admit it’ll be Sherman, no one else, determining when he’s no longer to keep up with NFL-level pass-catchers.

San Francisco still has cornerback depth questions despite adding rookies Ambry Thomas and Deommodore Lenoir in the NFL Draft. It’ll likely take at least a year to properly develop those two, and few defensive backs around the league could offer up as much advice as Sherman.

Even if it’s merely for supplementary depth, re-signing Sherman helps provide the guidance players like Thomas and Lenoir will need.

Like Golden Tate, Sherman is also probably seeking a contender, not a rebuilding team. So that could influence his decision, and it also might be the best natural situation for him to compete for a starting job, too.

Either way, the 49ers strongly need to consider it if Sherman’s asking price is reasonable enough.