5 pending free-agent 49ers who have earned new contracts for 2022
By Peter Panacy
No. 3: 49ers Cornerback K’Waun Williams
Normally, it’s not typically a good business practice to make a defensive back, particularly a corner, a high re-sign priority if he’s on the wrong side of 30 years old.
But there are always exceptions, and nickel cornerback K’Waun Williams is certainly one of them.
Williams, who does come with some injury history, is still a vital member of the 49ers secondary and has already notched 33 tackles, three of which were for a loss, along with an interception, three passes broken up and a forced fumble. Opposing quarterbacks are also posting only an 87.2 passer rating when targeting him.
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The Niners don’t exactly have many contingency options to replace Williams either. Rookie cornerbacks Ambry Thomas and Deommodore Lenoir have both struggled in year one, and the lack of depth at this particular position is reason enough not to assume either can fill the void without having concern about the group as a whole.
If there’s good news, though, nickel cornerbacks rarely command the kind of top-dollar deals as boundary corners, meaning a player like Williams will likely come cheaper than other NFL free agency options, should San Francisco want to explore that route to beef up its outside-cornerback pool this offseason.