The San Francisco 49ers’ season ended with a dud in the NFL Championship Game. With Brock Purdy getting injured and his backup, Josh Johnson, also being forced from the game because of a concussion, the 49ers were defeated with relative ease by the Philadelphia Eagles, 31-7.
San Francisco’s daunting defense looked overmatched and at times defeated knowing that the offense was going to be a shell of itself because of the injuries. Figuring things out at the quarterback position is the No. 1 goal for the team this offseason, but there are a few holes to fill.
One of those holes is at cornerback, where Emmanuel Moseley, Jason Verrett and Dontae Johnson are set to hit free agency. The franchise made a splash last offseason by signing Charvarius Ward away from the Kansas City Chiefs, but they could use another addition in the secondary this season.
Who could they target? Here are three cornerbacks that the 49ers should pursue this offseason in NFL free agency.
3. Patrick Peterson
The 49ers struggled at times this season slowing down the No. 1 option for opposing teams in the passing game. D.K. Metcalf had 10 receptions for 136 yards and two touchdowns during Super Wild Card Weekend. CeeDee Lamb had 100 catches for 117 yards during the Divisional Round.
Shoring that up is key and one player that could fit the bill is veteran Patrick Peterson. Peterson showed that he still has plenty of juice left after a nice bounce-back season in 2022 with the Minnesota Vikings. He was the lone bright spot in an otherwise underwhelming Vikings’ secondary.
His 80.7 coverage grade was fourth highest in the league in 2022 and the second-highest of his career. He recorded five interceptions, 15 passes defended and 66 total tackles with three for a loss. Most importantly, he remained healthy, playing in all 17 games and taking the field for 95 percent of the Vikings’ defensive snaps.
Likely heading for a one-year deal in free agency, the 49ers have a lot to offer the veteran, especially if he wants to compete for a ring.
2. Jamel Dean
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers didn’t have much go right during the 2022 season. They won the NFC South, but had a record of 8-9 and were defeated easily by the Dallas Cowboys during Super Wild Card Weekend.
This is a roster that could see a lot of changes this offseason with Tom Brady announcing his retirement. Well over the salary cap, it could make re-signing a player such as Jamel Dean very challenging.
Dean is one of the top free agents hitting the free agent market. He is expected to land a big four-year, $68 million contract this offseason, which will require some cap space to be created. But, for San Francisco, landing a long-term complement to Ward could be an appealing direction to go in.
Dean has recorded a coverage grade of at least 75 in every season in the NFL, possessing the blend of size, physicality and athleticism to match up with the top-tier wide receivers in the league. After struggling to contain upper-echelon players at times in 2022, Dean would be a nice addition to this secondary.
1. James Bradberry
James Bradberry is someone the 49ers became familiar with during their postseason preparations. He was the starting cornerback for the Eagles, signing with them after he was a cap casualty of the New York Giants last offseason.
Bradberry had an excellent season playing opposite Darius Slay, getting his career back on track. He is one of the better free agents available this offseason and despite turning 30 in August, he should have a nice-sized market.
His age could preclude him from landing a huge multi-year deal, but he will be a sought-after option. The 49ers can sell him on contending for a Super Bowl again after the Eagles fell just short, with Bradberry’s holding penalty on the final Chiefs drive of the game, sealing Philadelphia’s fate.
Maybe not the No.1 lockdown corner he was a few seasons ago, but Bradberry proved this season he is still more than capable of getting the job done. He is coming off of a second-team All-Pro nomination to show just how good he still is. His durability is also something that should appeal to the 49ers given the injuries their secondary, and roster, in general, have endured in recent seasons.
