Cornerback Vontae Davis signed a one-year deal with the Buffalo Bills while the Kansas City Chiefs traded Marcus Peters to the Los Angeles Rams. The San Francisco 49ers did not pursue either.
Two NFL cornerbacks made headlines over the past week. Former Indianapolis Colts cornerback Vontae Davis, who was released in November, went on a free agent tour which included visits with the San Francisco 49ers, Buffalo Bills, Oakland Raiders, Cleveland Browns, and Miami Dolphins.
After some time to reflect on those visits, Davis decided to sign a one-year deal worth up to $5 million with Buffalo. At the time of the signing, many assumed Davis chose Buffalo over San Francisco.
On February 23, the Kansas City Chiefs traded All-Pro cornerback Marcus Peters to the Los Angeles Rams. That means 49ers receivers will face the talented defensive player twice a year. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network initially reported that San Francisco, along with the Cleveland Browns, also showed interest in Peters.
Mike Garafolo of NFL Network later reported that the 49ers' interest in Peters was "lukewarm at best." Los Angeles gave up second- and fourth-round draft picks for the cornerback.
General manager John Lynch sat down with reporters on Wednesday and shared that the 49ers decided not to pursue Davis or Peters.
"We had conversations," Lynch said via NBC Sports Bay Area. "We never made a formal offer. We felt, at some point, it was best to duck out. We're comfortable with that."
Why didn't Lynch and the 49ers pursue one of the two cornerbacks when the position is an area of need on defense?
"Just because a guy has been a really productive, really good, great player, doesn't mean he's a fit," Lynch explained. "It's not just who's been productive, it's who's a fit for you."
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