The defensive backfield could look a lot different for the San Francisco 49ers next season. With nearly 40 of its players scheduled to become free agents, the team has some difficult choices to make this offseason. That may include replacing cornerbacks Richard Sherman or Jason Verrett — or both.
They aren't the only cornerbacks scheduled to become free agents. K'Waun Williams, Ahkello Witherspoon, Dontae Johnson, and Jamar Taylor are all staled to test the open market. Emmanuel Moseley and Ken Webster are scheduled to be exclusive-rights free agents.
Should there be some key missing pieces to the defensive backfield puzzle next season, Pro Football Focus identified a temporary replacement piece while taking a look at one free agent every NFL team should pursue. Analyst Sam Monson believes San Francisco should take a look at cornerback Xavier Rhodes.
"The 49ers are potentially losing their best two cornerbacks this offseason, with both Richard Sherman and Jason Verrett slated to be free agents," explains Monson. "Even with Sherman and Verrett on the roster, they would be rolling the dice on getting them both for a full season in 2021. Plus, this is a team that still thinks — with a healthy quarterback — their Super Bowl window is open."
Rhodes is in his eighth NFL season. The Minnesota Vikings selected him out of Florida State with the No. 25 overall pick in 2013. After seven seasons there, the cornerback signed a one-year deal with the Indianapolis Colts last offseason.
"Xavier Rhodes isn't a long-term answer, but he showed this year he can still be a top-flight cover guy when healthy," adds Monson. "He allowed just 51.3% of passes thrown his way to be caught this season and had 10 pass breakups."
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