After signing free-agent Charvarius Ward to a three-year, $42 million contract and deciding on two cornerbacks on this weekend’s NFL Draft, the 49ers determined they nonetheless had work to do to bolster their defensive backfield.
The group introduced Monday that veteran cornerback Jason Verrett is again with the group after signing a one-year deal. Phrases of the contract weren't disclosed.
The previous Professional Bowl nook missed nearly all the 2021 season after tearing his ACL throughout the 49ers’ Week 1 win in opposition to the Lions, however there was mutual curiosity in a reunion as Verrett was one of many protection’s greatest gamers in 2020 when he began 14 video games and recorded two interceptions.
The 49ers used their fifth-round decide on Toledo product Samuel Womack and added one other nook, Penn State’s Tariq Castro-Fields, with their third collection of the sixth spherical, however introduced again Verrett anyway to a gaggle that's gentle on confirmed NFL expertise.
Ward is predicted to anchor a gaggle that additionally options returning starter Emmanuel Moseley and second-year cornerback Ambry Thomas, who took over a beginning position late final season. The addition of Verrett offers the 49ers with vital flexibility, particularly following the lack of Okay’Waun Williams, a multi-year starter at nickel nook underneath Kyle Shanahan who departed to signal a two-year contract with the Broncos this offseason.
If Verrett stays wholesome and is ready to regain the shape he confirmed in 2020, he might play a big position as an out of doors nook reverse Ward, which might doubtlessly enable the 49ers to make use of Moseley as a nickel nook. Thomas can also be anticipated to push for taking part in time on the skin and there’s hope inside the group that he’ll proceed to construct power and make important strides after spending a lot of the primary half of final season on the bench.
Womack initiatives as a attainable nickel nook whereas Castro-Fields ought to present depth on the skin whereas fortifying the 49ers’ particular groups models if each are in a position to win roster spots throughout coaching camp.
Given the actual fact Verrett appeared in simply six whole video games between 2016-2019 because of damage points and is coming back from an ACL tear, it’s unlikely the 49ers can depend on a lot from the Chargers’ 2014 first-round draft decide, who will flip 31 in June. But with a cornerback contingent that lacks a sure-fire alternative for Williams within the slot and in a NFC West that options two opponents within the Rams and Cardinals with deep receiving corps, it shouldn’t damage the 49ers to take a flier on a participant who has proven the flexibility to play at a excessive degree when he’s wholesome.
Except for relying on Ward, Moseley and Thomas, the 49ers additionally entered the NFL Draft hopeful that 2021 fifth-round decide, Deommodore Lenoir, can enhance to the purpose the place he could be a reliable depth possibility behind the group’s high trio on sport days.