Today we continue our 9-part series in which we look at how much each position group is set to count against the 49ers 2021 cap, and today we have the Defensive Backs.
The 49ers have 18 defensive backs signed for 2021, with them counting $32,025,090 against the 2021 cap.
First up is starting free safety Jimmie Ward, who is set to count $10,911,765 against the 2021 cap.
Ward’s a player that is a very good player, but he gets a lot of hate from 49ers fans, mainly because of past injuries, and issues with not enough turnovers, and yes he’s not known as a ball hawk.
But Ward is a very solid player, and versatile, as he can play both safety spot, as well as cornerback, mainly in the slot.
Next is Jason Verrett, who is set to count $5,264,706 against the 2021 cap, and is coming of his best season since his Pro Bowl season.
If Verrett can stay healthy, play how he did in 2020, he could be looking at a solid payday, and hopefully that’s with the 49ers, as he turned down multi-year offers to sign a 1-year prove it deal, betting on himself.
I expect Verrett to be the teams #1 CB, even though he really isn’t a true #1 CB.
Next is Emmanuel Moseley, who got a 2-year deal, worth $4.692 million a year, along with $4.384 million fully guaranteed, and is set to count $2.652 million against the 2021 cap.
Moseley has shown flashes of being a solid cornerback, but he’s also had his bad plays, so Moseley really needs to have a good season in order for the 49ers to keep him in 2022, and beyond.
Now we have Marcell Harris, who is a hybrid S/LB, who is set to make $1,244,118 against the 2021 cap.
Now Harris is going to be needed as a backup strong safety, but he can, as stated, also play linebacker.
He has had his ups and downs, he got picked on in the 2019 game in New Orleans, where he looked really bad.
The 49ers guaranteed $250,000 of his 2021 base salary, but that doesn’t mean he’s a lock, but I do believe he makes the roster, mainly due to his versatility.
Now we have K’Waun Williams, who I though would go home to New Jersey to play for Robert Saleh & the Jets, but he stayed with the 49ers, and will count $1,127,500 against the 2021 cap.
K’Waun is one of the best slot cornerbacks in the NFL, and I really thought he would have gotten a multi-year deal, either with the 49ers, or somewhere else, but I expect him to be the same K’Waun Williams we all know, the shut down slot cornerback.
If he does that, he should have no problem getting a multi-year deal, but will it be with the 49ers? He is close to 30, and the 49ers drafted a potential replacement that I’ll get into in a bit, but we shall see.
Next is Tarvarius Moore, who will count $1,116,093 against the 2021 cap, but his season is likely over after a torn Achilles, he could be put on PUP, with the hope that he could return late in the season if the 49ers are still in the playoff hunt.
Now we have Jaquiski Tartt, another guy I thought was gone, and would get a mutli-year deal, but he’s back, and he will count $987,500 against the cap in 2021.
Tartt needs to stay healthy, because a safety combo of Ward & Tartt is a very good one when they’re both out there.
If he does stay healthy, the 49ers will have a decision to make, because they drafted a guy, who many think can be the teams new strong safety in 2022.
Next is Tavon Wilson, who would count $900,000 against the 2021 cap.
Wilson can play both free safety & strong safety, as well as being a very good special teams player.
I originally thought after he signed that he would be on the team, that was until they drafted a safety, but now with Moore’s injury, he’s competing for the backup free safety role in my opinion.
Next is the 102nd-overall pick Ambry Thomas, who is set to count $870,154 against the 2021 cap.
Thomas is a guy who the 49ers love, and why not, he was dominant, & a shut down corner at Michigan, so let’s hope we found ourselves the teams new true #1 CB.
Next is 2 players making $850,000 in 2021, those guys being Ken Webster, and Kai Nacua, but they’re more likely long shot, and practice squad candidates.
Next we have Dontae Johnson & recent signee Tony Jefferson both set to make $850,000 against the 2021 cap.
If the 49ers keep 6 cornerbacks, then Johnson is in the drivers seat, with very little competition.
As for Jefferson, I believe he’s competing for the backup free safety spot, along with Tavon Wilson, and like Wilson, Jefferson can play both safety spots.
Next is Mark Fields II, who was claimed off waivers, and would count $780,000 against the cap in 2021.
Fields is more than likely a long shot, and a practice squad candidate.
Now we have Deommodore Lenoir, one of the teams 3 5th-round picks, who is set to count $731,217 against the 2021 cap.
This kid, who is very close with Richard Sherman, who as of the writing of this article, is still a free agent, is a stud, as he is good in coverage, along with being able to play both outside & inside, so Lenoir as a chance to be the teams new slot cornerback in 2022.
Next up is 1 of the teams 3 5th-round picks, Talanoa Hufanga, who will count $720,038 against the 2021 cap.
Now, like Marcell Harris, Hufanga can play that hybrid S/LB role, and some, including myself, can envision Hufanga talking over at strong safety in 2021.
Finally we have 2 players making $660,000 against the 2021 cap, Tim Harris Jr., & Jared Mayden.
I think both Harris & Mayden will compete for a potential 6th-cornerback spot, while Mayden could steal a spot as the backup free safety, as he’s a very good special teams player.
So with all of this said, I thank everyone for reading article, as always you can follow me on Twitter @49erscap, or leave a comment below, and I’ll get back to you.
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