49ers wish they could afford these 4 big-name free agents in 2022
By Peter Panacy
49ers ‘would love’ player No. 2: Cornerback J.C. Jackson, Patriots
San Francisco might be able to afford splurging on one big-name free agent this offseason. And if it were to do that, going after New England Patriots cornerback J.C. Jackson probably would be the right move.
Jackson, 26 years old and a 2021 Pro Bowler, is set to receive his first massive payday as a pro player after being a restricted free agent last season.
As part of one of the NFL’s top defenses in 2021, Jackson managed eight interceptions and a league-best 23 passes broken up a year after posting nine interceptions and 14 pass breakups, showing last year wasn’t a one-year wonder.
Read More: 49ers have to target these 4 free-agent cornerbacks in 2022
The 49ers do have serious cornerback deficiencies this offseason and could be looking to upgrade over pending returnees like Ambry Thomas and Emmanuel Moseley.
No doubting Jackson could help on the boundary. But elite-level cornerbacks never come cheap, especially outside ones, and Over the Cap suggested his 2021 market value was $13.8 million.
That would be tough enough for the Niners to absorb. Considering the NFL free agency market for cornerbacks this offseason isn’t good, though, it wouldn’t be shocking at all to see Jackson command a new deal worth $15-plus million annually.
Far out of San Francisco’s price range.