NFL.com columnist Jeffri Chadiha recently highlighted the best team fits for several notable remaining free agents. Among them, he linked cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. to the San Francisco 49ers.
Some expected the 49ers to use one of their early draft picks on a cornerback, with many mock drafts projecting former Michigan standout Will Johnson to San Francisco. Johnson ultimately slipped into the second round, and while the 49ers did address the position, it wasn't until the third round with the selection of Upton Stout.
Chadiha believes the 49ers' cornerback group remains thin and sees Samuel as a potential boost to the secondary.
"San Francisco makes sense for Samuel for two reasons," Chadiha wrote. "One is that he's likely to be available at a very affordable price now that the draft has passed. The other is that the 49ers are thin at cornerback -- they lost Charvarius Ward, Rock Ya-Sin and Isaac Yiadom from last year's team -- and play a zone-heavy system that could allow Samuel to flourish."
Samuel appeared in just four games for the Los Angeles Chargers last season before being placed on injured reserve with a shoulder injury. In his last full season (2023), he recorded a career-high 63 tackles (one for a loss), two interceptions, and 13 passes defensed, per Pro Football Reference.
"The big knocks on Samuel after his four seasons with the Chargers were his tackling and lack of consistency in press coverage," Chadiha noted. "He also dealt with a lingering neck/shoulder injury that limited him to four games last season (and continued to dog him earlier this offseason)."
Samuel has earned a Pro Football Focus tackling grade of 42.7 or lower in three of his four NFL seasons. He missed a career-high 14 tackles in 2023, and his 29.5 tackling grade in 2024 was a career low—factors that may not appeal to 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh.
"If the 49ers could land Samuel on a one-year, prove-it deal, he might flourish under defensive coordinator Robert Saleh and create a chance for a massive long-term deal," Chadiha added. "Samuel is only 25 and one of the best remaining free agents on the market. This could be a win-win for both sides."