49ers free agency: 3 cornerbacks to call with Jason Verrett out

49ers Free-Agent Option No. 2: D.J. Hayden

Veteran cornerback D.J. Hayden went from a reliable cover option in the Jacksonville Jaguars defense in 2018 and 2019 to almost completely falling apart a year ago, which likely led to the Jags bidding farewell last offseason.

Now at 31 years old, it’s hard to tell whether or not last year’s struggles were a sign of things to come for Hayden or if it was just a one-year anomaly.

Either way, the former No. 12 overall NFL Draft pick should at least be on the Niners’ radar.

Like Dre Kirkpatrick, Hayden would be an upgrade over many of San Francisco’s back-end corners and someone with plenty of starting experience, having started 41 games over his lengthy career despite being a fringe first-teamer for the bulk of his eight seasons at the pro level.

While Kirkpatrick might be a stronger option, Hayden would likely be a lot cheaper an option, and that would matter for a team like the 49ers who are already starting to deal with the injury bug early in 2021.