Six cornerbacks that were on the 49ers 2020 roster will hit the open market at the beginning of free agency.All-Pro Richard Sherman has already indicated that there is very little chance of him remaining in San Francisco going forward. Free agents Jason Verrett and K’Waun Williams were valuable pieces of the 49ers defense that while being decimated by injuries, was still ranked as a top 10 defense in 2020.The 49ers allowed an average of 21.3 completions per game, which was the ninth-best in the league and was ranked fourth best in average passing yards per game with 207.9. They also only allowed 9.8 yards per completion which tied them for fifth-best in the NFL.The 49ers must look to the 2021 NFL Draft to bolster its cornerback room to remain a contender. The front office will look to retain a few core players but with the 2021 salary cap set to be a decline in 2021, the club will not be able to keep everyone.

Unrestricted free agents
- Richard Sherman
- K'Waun Williams
- Jason Verrett
- Ahkello Witherspoon
- Dontae Johnson
- Jamar Taylor
Exclusive rights free agents
- Emmanuel Moseley
- Ken Webster
This year’s class of cornerbacks could help the 49ers keep their defensive performance up to par going forward. Here are five cornerbacks who could be targets for the 49ers in the upcoming draft.

School: Alabama
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 202 pounds
Surtain has the size and speed of an elite cornerback and as a product of the SEC, already has faced some of the best college wide receivers in the nation. The Crimson Tide defender was a three-year starter racking up 166 total tackles, 82 of which were solo.
In his 40 collegiate games, Surtain showed off his ball-hawking skills, snagging four interceptions, returning one for a touchdown. He also broke up 24 passes and forced four fumbles helping his team secure a playoff berth and a National Title in 2020.
The son of two-time All-Pro cornerback Patrick Surtain Sr. is one of the top cornerback prospects in the 2021 draft, and could be available for the 49ers in the first round. Pro Football Focus has Surtain ranked as the No. 2 corner in the draft, but noted that he tracks wide receivers well into the slot, only allowing five catches on 12 targets for 51 yards.
NFL analyst Daniel Jeremiah on Surtain:
“Surtain is very smooth and athletic, but he lacks elite short-area quickness. When he gets widened out and is forced to redirect versus slant routes, he lacks the twitch to stay hugged to the hip of the receiver. This is always going to be a challenge for big cornerbacks like Surtain. The advantages of his size and physicality far outweigh the disadvantages, though.”

School: Virginia Tech
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 207 pounds
Even though Farley opted out of the 2020 season, he remains at the top of the list when it comes to draft-eligible cornerback rankings. He only played a total of 23 games in his college career but has shown the has what it takes to play in the NFL in his two seasons with he Hokies.
Farley received first-team All-ACC honors in 2019 and over his college career totaled 56 tackles and six interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown. He broke up 19 passes and registered one sack.
The Virginia Tech product plays on the left side, and like Surtain, has the size and speed to cover NFL receivers. He could be available for the 49ers who have the 12th over pick. Farley also appeared on special teams with nine kick returns for 155 yards, or a 17.2 yard average.
Pro Football Focus analyst Mike Renner on Farley:
“Farley allowed only five catches on 24 targets on passes 10-plus yards downfield in 2019. I didn’t see a single receiver all year get a step on him downfield that he wasn’t able to make up. He doesn’t exactly profile great to a zone-heavy scheme, though, as tackling has been a major problem. He’s missed 21 tackles on 80 attempts in his career.”

School: South Carolina
Height: 6-foot-1
Weight: 205 pounds
Horn played in 30 games over his three seasons as a Gamecock and racked up 101 tackles, 69 of which were solo. Along with Farley and Surtain, Horn is one of the bigger corners in the upcoming draft.
A two-time recipient of All-SEC team honors Horn also amassed three sacks, two interceptions and two forced fumbles while also breaking up 23 passes. Son of Pro Bowl wide receiver Joe Horn, Jaycee opted out of the 2020 season after playing in seven games to prepare for the draft.
Horn played in the slot in his first season at South Carolina and on the outside in his final two years. In his final seven games, he only allowed eight catches on 24 targets for 15 yards.
Pro Football Focus has him ranked as the third-best corner in the draft behind Surtain and Farley. Horn is slated as a late first day, early second-round pick.
NFL analyst Daniel Jeremiah on Horn:
“Horn is a big, physical cornerback with plenty of speed and instincts. He's physical with his hands to consistently re-route in press coverage. His short-area quickness is good for a big cornerback. However, he has some bad habits to break in off coverage. He catches and grabs too much. He will draw a lot of flags at the next level if that doesn't get cleaned up.

School: Florida State
Height: 5-foot-10
Weight: 184 pounds
Samuel is another notable cornerback in a class full of NFL scions. Son of All-Decade cornerback Asante Samuel, the former Seminole corner wants to follow in his father’s footsteps. Smaller than the previous three prospects, Samuel is not afraid of contact.
In his 31 games at Florida State Samuel registered 97 total tackles, 71 of which were solo. Physicality is not an issue breaking up 29 passes and registering four interceptions, two for touchdowns. He also forced one fumble and recovered two.
Samuel has predominantly played in man coverage and would have an adjustment period to playing in zone coverage but he could be a target on day two for the 49ers. In his final college season, he allowed only 179 yards in eight games and a passer rating of only 46.2.
Pro Football Focus analyst Mike Renner:
“His blend of agility, burst, speed and leaping ability is everything you could want at the position. He makes breaks on passes that others in this class could only dream of.”

School: Georgia
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 185 pounds
Campbell played in 31 games over three seasons at Georgia racking up 89 tackles, 58 solo. He broke up 10 passes, registered one quarterback sack, one interception and forced one fumble.
He is another tall cornerback that has a smaller frame but undeniable speed.
While there is little debate of who is in the top echelon of cornerbacks in this season's draft class, the waters get a lit more murky heading into potential Day 2 prospects. Campbell is ranked as the No. 5 cornerback prospect by Pro Football Focus.
Campbell didn’t perform as well in coverage in 2020, allowing 30 receptions on 46 targets for 340 yards. His strength is his physicality, missing only six tackles on 99 attempts in his three-year college career.
ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper on Campbell:
“Based on talent alone, Campbell would be a top-15 pick but his tape could see him drop to Round 2. He was too inconsistent from snap to snap but he is a gifted athlete in a 6-2 frame and this pick is all about protecting him to improve under NFL coaching.”