Niners Nation
San Francisco could have a reunion with one of their biggest mis-evaluations in recent memory.
The San Francisco 49ers have a number of needs to fill out in free agency, as they have a couple of key players set to hit the open market with hopes of securing bigger contracts.
One of those needs is at cornerback, where the 49ers are poised to lose cornerback Charvarius Ward, who all but said that he won’t be returning to San Francisco during exit interviews.
Ward, 28, didn’t have the best season, but should still have a number of suitors on the market as he enters his prime, and could be poised for another multi-year deal on the open market.
San Francisco still has Deommodore Lenoir and Renardo Green at cornerback, but will be looking for another starter, as well as some depth, as a good portion of their room is hitting free agency this offseason.
Who could they target to fill that third starting spot?
Could the 49ers look no further than a reunion with former cornerback D.J. Reed, who is slated to be a free agent this offseason?
Reed, who spent the first two years of his career in San Francisco, has developed into one of the NFL’s best corners, and spent the last three seasons with the New York Jets under Robert Saleh, who was recently hired as the 49ers’ new defensive coordinator.
Now, Reed’s departure from San Francisco the first time around didn’t end well, as the 49ers made one of their biggest evaluation mistakes when cutting the cornerback.
He has since proven to be a staple on the outside at cornerback with his coverage skills, despite standing at 5’9, 190 pounds, and plays with the aggression that San Francisco covets at the position.
Entering his age-29 season, Reed still has a couple of years left in his prime, and that could be with the 49ers as they bolster their secondary in a big way.
Is the move realistic?
Cost will obviously be the biggest factor, as some teams may view Reed as the best cornerback on the open market, which may propel his next contract higher than San Francisco’s desired price.
Additionally, they may go the cheaper route with the draft or a flier in free agency, as they’ve already made investments with Lenoir (five-year, $92 million extension) and Green (second-round pick), while having holes along the defensive line, among other positions.
But, there is a clear connection with Reed, who may value playing for Saleh once again, as he developed into one of the league’s better corners in New York.
While he hasn’t had many interceptions over the past three years, Reed broke up 32 passes in that span, while allowing a passer rating under 90 in each season.
The price will be important. But, the 49ers could fix one of their biggest mistakes in recent memory by signing Reed, reuniting with the cornerback and creating one of the best secondaries in the NFL.
