Niner Noise
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5 NFC West players 49ers would love to steal for 2022 playoff push

By Peter Panacy

Tyler Lockett #16 of the Seattle Seahawks tries to break a tackle from Tramaine Brock #26 of the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Tyler Lockett #16 of the Seattle Seahawks tries to break a tackle from Tramaine Brock #26 of the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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Byron Murphy, Arizona Cardinals
Arizona Cardinals cornerback Byron Murphy (7) Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /

49ers NFC West Player to Steal No. 3: CB Byron Murphy, Cardinals

In all honesty, the 49ers could afford to steal multiple players to upgrade their situation at cornerback.

Veteran corner Josh Norman has lost a step. And despite his tendency of forcing fumbles, his grabbiness has also led to a multitude of pass-interference and defensive-holding penalties this season, proving he’s just as much a liability as a booster.

With Norman struggling, and fellow cornerback Emmanuel Moseley banged up with an ankle injury, the Niners have been forced to resort to rookie corners Ambry Thomas and Deommodore Lenoir to plug the gaps. While Thomas has shown some modest improvement over his last three games, all starts, his presence on the field still has to be viewed as one of San Francisco’s biggest weaknesses down the stretch.

A fresh face would be needed.

Plucking the Arizona Cardinals’ star cornerback, Byron Murphy, would help alleviate the load a lot. Not only would he help blanket one side of the field, but his four interceptions on the season would give the 49ers some ballhawking abilities they so desperately need.