The potential losses at cornerback led Shook to pick Mike Hilton of the Pittsburgh Steelers for John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan's defense.
"The 49ers are going to say goodbye to Richard Sherman and likely Jason Verrett, and they also need to get younger at the position," explained Shook. "A favorite of mine for the last couple of seasons because of his flair for being in the right place at the right time, Hilton would be an excellent fit in the 49ers' defense. With around $12.5 million in cap space, San Francisco has the funds to make this happen and shore up its secondary in the process."
San Francisco may have the funds to add a player like Hilton, but the team also has other needs to address. Left tackle Trent Williams, whom the team traded for last offseason, is scheduled to hit the open market. The 49ers would like to keep him around for the foreseeable future. However, Williams is expected to be in high demand. Shook's colleague, Gregg Rosenthal, recently stated that he expects the eight-time Pro Bowl selection to become the highest-paid player in free agency and possibly the highest-paid tackle in the NFL.
As for Hilton, the Jacksonville Jaguars signed him as an undrafted free agent out of Ole Miss in 2016. He wasn't able to stick with the team beyond its final roster cuts and, after a few days on the New England Patriots practice squad, signed with the Steelers.
Hilton, 26, registered 51 tackles, eight tackles for a loss, three sacks, seven passes defensed, three interceptions, and a forced fumble through 12 games with the Steelers in 2020, per Pro Football Reference. He has recorded 237 tackles, 9.5 sacks, 32 passes defensed, seven interceptions, and three forced fumbles through his four NFL seasons.
Shook sees the Philadelphia Eagles as a good free agency destination for one 49ers cornerback about to hit the open market — K'Waun Williams.
"The Eagles have essentially little to no money to spend, but they do need to fill the nickel role in their defense," wrote Shook. "Williams feels like a good fit because of his mix of age and deflated value due to a considerable injury history, and he could probably be had for an affordable amount."
The writer feels former 49ers, Kansas City Chiefs, and Washinton Football Team quarterback Alex Smith might be a solid match for the Chicago Bears.
"Should he be able to stay healthy for a full season, this might end up being the next chapter in Smith's incredible comeback tale -- and could help vault the Bears from a seventh seed to something greater," commented Shook.
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
49ers Notebook: Closing the book on Australia; Rookies play big role on defense; Mike Evans makes an impression
The San Francisco 49ers certainly have room to improve after their first two games of the 2026 season, but not many people would have imagined those games going as well as they did considering the circumstances. The 49ers opened eyes with their 27-7 Week 1 win over the Los... -
49ers named trade fit for Steelers CB Joey Porter Jr. by ESPN insider
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler believes the situation between the Pittsburgh Steelers and cornerback Joey Porter Jr. has reached a tipping point, potentially opening the door for a trade involving the San Francisco 49ers. Fowler believes a Porter trade is realistic, and the cornerback... -
49ers' Kyle Shanahan sends a clear signal on Mike Evans' role on offense
Seven of San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Mike Evans' 49 offensive snaps against the Los Angeles Rams came with him lined up in the slot. That may surprise some, considering Evans was primarily expected to be a boundary target for quarterback Brock Purdy. However, those... -
49ers provide post-game injury updates on Demarcus Robinson, Mike Evans, others
The San Francisco 49ers' injury situation worsened Sunday. Two wide receivers, Mike Evans and Demarcus Robinson, suffered setbacks during the team's Week 2 win over the Miami Dolphins. One appears to be minor, while the other could keep a key veteran receiver sidelined for some...