5 bargain free agents 49ers can target this NFL offseason
By Peter Panacy
49ers free-agent target No. 3: Cornerback D.J. Reed, Seahawks
The 49ers could welcome a reunion with one of their former defensive backs, now-Seattle Seahawks corner D.J. Reed, who has put together a productive two years with the Niners’ NFC West rivals ever since being claimed off waivers entering 2020.
Reed, 25 years old, is already a four-year pro and has played all over the defense, both with San Francisco and Seattle, but the 49ers’ primary need for him might be as a nickel cornerback if they do indeed lose their starting veteran, K’Waun Williams, to free agency.
It might be a smart move for the Niners to target Reed over Williams anyway, considering the latter is turning 31 years old this offseason.
Read More: 49ers have perfect opportunity to fix cornerback woes
Reed, who had 78 tackles and two interceptions last year, might get up into the range of $5 million annually on his first substantial free-agent deal. But it’s important to note nickel corners rarely command the kind of contracts boundary defensive backs receive, and that kind of money might actually be a bargain in contrast to targeting a top-flight cornerback in free agency anyway.
Plus, Reed is already familiar with San Francisco’s defensive scheme, so it would be a relatively seamless transition for him.