49ers' CB Search Should Include These 3 Free Agents

Reports of front office activity late in the NFL free-agency period has indicated that the San Francisco 49ers are in search of a new cornerback.

Standout cover man Charvarius Ward signed a new contract with the Indianapolis Colts and promising youngster Deommodore Lenoir just got arrested last week, meaning his potential punishment is still up in the air.

The Niners would - and should - want to defend against a possible Lenoir suspension by signing a free agent. Everyone behind Lenoir on the depth chart is unproven in their ability on the field.

According to UFL executive and former Dallas Cowboys fullback Daryl Johnston, San Francisco had made an effort to sign former Las Vegas Raiders troubled corner Damon Arnette, who has not seen NFL action since his second year in the league in 2021 after a series of issues with the law. Ultimately, he would sign for the veteran minimum with the Houston Texans, but this urgency shown by general manager John Lynch says that the 49ers are keeping the position in the top of their mind ahead of training camp.

Are they desperate? That depends on how they feel about what they currently have.

Renardo Green, the player penciled in at the moment to take over for Ward, saw some action last season, but he was just a rookie that still may not be ready for a full-season work load. Tre Brown has just 13 starts in four seasons and was used most last season on special teams. The 49ers' third-round pick Upton Stout is a rookie, so who knows what he could turn into and when.

There are many free agent cornerbacks still without a home. San Francisco should investigate these three as potential signing options.

Asante Samuel Jr. There is a lot of upside here given that the Los Angeles Chargers corner is just 25 years old, but he is coming off shoulder and neck injuries that limited him to just four games played last year. He will be undergoing a medical re-check at the end of this month.

With second-round draft pedigree, Samuel is labeled by ESPN as a promising pickup for whatever team that gets him. "Samuel has a playmaking mentality at cornerback, with the foot quickness and sudden closing speed to break on the ball," writes Matt Bowen.

He has six interceptions and 26 passes defensed in his four years with the Chargers. Adding Samuel on the outside could allow Green to fill in on the opposite side and let Lenoir play his more comfortable position in the slot, of course, if he avoids any league-issued punishment.

Samuel is expected to demand a large salary due to this upside, but maybe his injury could play to the Niners benefit and force him to accept a discounted contract.

Rasul Douglas Bowen names the Buffalo Bills veteran as the best remaining free agent across all positions.

"Douglas is a physical corner with the length to disrupt the ball and the willingness to set an edge against the run (five tackles for loss last season)," Bowen said. "He's an easy fit in a zone system that allows him to reroute underneath and attack the ball from the outside third of the field. Douglas returned one of his five interceptions for a touchdown in 2023, and he had five pass breakups last season."

Under returning defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, the 49ers are expected to play a lot of zone this season, making Douglas appear to be a perfect fit.

He will turn 30 next month, but with solid production as an every-game starter last season, it's safe to assume he's got a few more good years in him.

Mike Hilton The 49ers desperately want to improve their 18th-ranked run defense from a season ago. The veteran Hilton is among the best downhill run-stoppers from the cornerback position.

Bowen writes: "A slot corner who plays with a sense of urgency, Hilton had 12 tackles for loss and eight pressures last season. He has a natural feel for playing in space as a coverage defender with the aggressive mentality to tackle and blitz on the edges. In eight seasons, Hilton has 13 interceptions, 11.5 sacks and 34 pass breakups."

San Francisco has the second-most cap space in the NFL at almost $46 million to spend.

It's time to spend it.

These three are just a few of the handful of cornerbacks available that could be immediate starters and let the young 49ers find their way.