San Francisco 49ers: Assessing offseason needs ahead of free agency
Cornerback
Why it’s a need: The 49ers got very spotty play at the position outside of Richard Sherman in 2018, with Ahkello Witherspoon enduring an up-and-down season after a promising rookie year. Some competition for places at the starting spot across from Sherman could well have a positive impact on Witherspoon, as well as Tarvarius Moore, who played well in limited snaps as a rookie.
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Odds of a free agent signing: As with the offensive line, if the Niners can find an experienced player at the right price, they’ll pull the trigger, and it seems far more likely the Niners would look to sign a corner rather than draft one high with so many other needs on their list. Kareem Jackson, Morris Claiborne and Jason McCourty would all be useful veteran adds, while Jason Verrett carries high upside and experience in the scheme Robert Saleh runs, but also an unfortunate injury history.
Linebacker
Why it’s a need: Fred Warner is entrenched as the starter at MIKE linebacker, but even though Elijah Lee played well down the stretch last year, bringing in an older head next to him at WILL would be an astute move to solidify the middle of the field while aiding Warner’s development.
Odds of a free agent signing: With the draft class at this position disappointing beyond Devin White and Devin Bush, a free-agent arrival seems highly likely. The question is whether the 49ers will splash the cash or go cheap. C.J. Mosley and Kwon Alexander would each likely command a lot of money and require Warner to switch to WILL.
Jordan Hicks may be a slightly more cost-effective but also more injury prone option, while K.J. Wright is a natural fit at WILL having long since been an underrated part of a Seattle Seahawks defense that runs the same system.