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.<\/p>\n
The 49ers have 18 defensive backs signed for 2021, with them counting $32,025,090 against the 2021 cap.<\/p>\n
First up is starting free safety Jimmie Ward, who is set to count $10,911,765 against the 2021 cap.<\/p>\n
Ward\u2019s 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\u2019s not known as a ball hawk.<\/p>\n
But Ward is a very solid player, and versatile, as he can play both safety spot, as well as cornerback, mainly in the slot.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
If Verrett can stay healthy, play how he did in 2020, he could be looking at a solid payday, and hopefully that\u2019s with the 49ers, as he turned down multi-year offers to sign a 1-year prove it deal, betting on himself.<\/p>\n
I expect Verrett to be the teams #1 CB, even though he really isn\u2019t a true #1 CB.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Moseley has shown flashes of being a solid cornerback, but he\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
Now we have Marcell Harris, who is a hybrid S\/LB, who is set to make $1,244,118 against the 2021 cap.<\/p>\n
Now Harris is going to be needed as a backup strong safety, but he can, as stated, also play linebacker.<\/p>\n
He has had his ups and downs, he got picked on in the 2019 game in New Orleans, where he looked really bad.<\/p>\n
The 49ers guaranteed $250,000 of his 2021 base salary, but that doesn\u2019t mean he\u2019s a lock, but I do believe he makes the roster, mainly due to his versatility.<\/p>\n
Now we have K\u2019Waun 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.<\/p>\n
K\u2019Waun 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\u2019Waun Williams we all know, the shut down slot cornerback.<\/p>\n
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\u2019ll get into in a bit, but we shall see.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Now we have Jaquiski Tartt, another guy I thought was gone, and would get a mutli-year deal, but he\u2019s back, and he will count $987,500 against the cap in 2021.<\/p>\n
Tartt needs to stay healthy, because a safety combo of Ward & Tartt is a very good one when they\u2019re both out there.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Next is Tavon Wilson, who would count $900,000 against the 2021 cap.<\/p>\n
Wilson can play both free safety & strong safety, as well as being a very good special teams player.<\/p>\n
I originally thought after he signed that he would be on the team, that was until they drafted a safety, but now with Moore\u2019s injury, he\u2019s competing for the backup free safety role in my opinion.<\/p>\n
Next is the 102nd-overall pick Ambry Thomas, who is set to count $870,154 against the 2021 cap.<\/p>\n
Thomas is a guy who the 49ers love, and why not, he was dominant, & a shut down corner at Michigan, so let\u2019s hope we found ourselves the teams new true #1 CB.<\/p>\n
Next is 2 players making $850,000 in 2021, those guys being Ken Webster, and Kai Nacua, but they\u2019re more likely long shot, and practice squad candidates.<\/p>\n
Next we have Dontae Johnson & recent signee Tony Jefferson both set to make $850,000 against the 2021 cap.<\/p>\n
If the 49ers keep 6 cornerbacks, then Johnson is in the drivers seat, with very little competition.<\/p>\n
As for Jefferson, I believe he\u2019s competing for the backup free safety spot, along with Tavon Wilson, and like Wilson, Jefferson can play both safety spots.<\/p>\n
Next is Mark Fields II, who was claimed off waivers, and would count $780,000 against the cap in 2021.<\/p>\n
Fields is more than likely a long shot, and a practice squad candidate.<\/p>\n
Now we have Deommodore Lenoir, one of the teams 3 5th-round picks, who is set to count $731,217 against the 2021 cap.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Next up is 1 of the teams 3 5th-round picks, Talanoa Hufanga, who will count $720,038 against the 2021 cap.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Finally we have 2 players making $660,000 against the 2021 cap, Tim Harris Jr., & Jared Mayden.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s a very good special teams player.<\/p>\n