2018 NFL Free Agency: Early predictions for top 15 players

13. Trumaine Johnson, CB, Los Angeles Rams

2017 Salary: $16,742,400

Where he will sign: San Francisco 49ers

Trumaine Johnson has had an up-and-down career up to this point. One year, he looks like a potential All-Pro, convincing the Los Angeles Rams to retain him instead of Janoris Jenkins. Then there’s 2017, when he’s looked like little more than a serviceable starter at times.

That’s why there aren’t going to be a plethora of potential suitors this offseason. There are cheaper options out there with similar skills who aren’t as inconsistent. Despite that, someone is going to see enough upside in Johnson to sign him to what should be a monster contract.

Yes, that would be the San Francisco 49ers. They did the same thing last year — signing quality talent to elite contracts. It’s the price you pay when you’re a terrible team, as they still are as evidenced by their pitiful 2017 record. Agents also tend to get more money out of teams that have plenty of cap space — the 49ers are currently scheduled to have upwards of $100 million available come March.

It’s going to be another long offseason for San Francisco as they attempt to return to relevance. Seeing how their pass defense has been throughout 2017, it only makes sense to target a proven (albeit inconsistent) talent like Johnson.