Nine 49ers free agents Saleh, Jets could target for 2021
Robert Saleh, the new head coach of the New York Jets, has a lot of work ahead of him.Let’s rephrase: Saleh and Jets general manager Joe Douglas have a lot of work ahead of them.While most teams around the NFL will be jammed up against the NFL’s dropping salary cap, the Jets enter the offseason with an estimated $70 million in cap space.They can start building their roster in mid-March at the start of the new league year.And they will have plenty of opportunities to add talent in the draft, too. The Jets have nine draft picks. They have five selections in the top 86, including No. 2 overall.Saleh and new offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur will undoubtedly look to bring in some players from the 49ers who have familiarity with their systems and expectations.Saleh and LaFleur will want Douglas to sign some players they know can be trusted to help establish the culture inside the locker room, too.Here are some 49ers free agents the Jets could target this offseason:
Everyone around the 49ers raved about everything K’Waun Williams does as the nickel back. It is a key position, and the Jets are in desperate need of upgrades in their defensive backfield.
The last time Saleh met with the Bay Area media this season, he sounded like Williams’ agent.
“The reason why everyone loves KK — especially yours truly — is the speed at which he operates and the instincts and the trigger, we call it trigger, and the way he triggers on game day and within each play,” Saleh said.
Saleh said Williams is always well-prepared, which allows him to play fast and decisively. Because Williams is on-point with his assignments, he “clears up the picture” for everyone else in the secondary, Saleh said.
The nickel back position is such a specialized skill. Therefore, it would be a major surprise if the Jets do not make a strong bid for Williams’ services.
Oh, by the way, Williams grew up in New Jersey and attended high school less than an hour from the Jets headquarters.
Kyle Juszczyk made the Pro Bowl in each of his four seasons with the 49ers. Because of his versatility and skills, the 49ers deployed the fullback position more than any other team in the league.
The 49ers are likely to be holding onto Mike McDaniel, the brainpower behind the team’s varied running attack. But LaFleur can be expected to install a similar offense with the Jets. He could use a fullback such as Juzczyk.
Juszczyk has to be one of the 49ers’ top priorities to re-sign, but the Jets can be expected to have significant interest, too.
This seems like a good time for the 49ers and NFL All-Decade cornerback Richard Sherman to amicably part ways. Sherman said as much to NBC Sports Bay Area last month. It is unlikely he returns to the 49ers in 2021, through no fault of his or the 49ers.
As Saleh looks to build a winning culture with the Jets, he could look to Sherman to help him in that process. Sherman is clearly a fan of Saleh, as he went to social media to declare the Jets “got a great one.”
At some point, Sherman will transition to safety. That time could be sooner than later. When Sherman signed with the 49ers three years ago, he said he expected his contributions to the team to be 50 percent on the field, 50 percent off the field.
The same would go with a possible move to the Jets.
The Jets need a lot of help at cornerback. They could be expected to make a strong push for Jason Verrett, too.
Saleh saw enough from Verrett in 2019 when he spent most of the season rehabbing from previous injuries to want to bring him back on another one-year, prove-it contract.
Verrett did not disappoint. And, now, he could be in line for a sizable payday after resurrecting his career.
The Jets need help on the edge, and Kerry Hyder would be a good fit along the team's defensive line.
Hyder originally signed with the 49ers as an under-the-radar free agent. But due to injuries, he was forced into considerable action. He ended up playing an important role on the defense.
After a strong all-around season, which included a team-high 8.5 sacks, Hyder should get some attention on the free-agent market.
He came highly recommended by 49ers’ defensive line coach Kris Kocurek. Now, Saleh is a card-carrying member of the fan club, too.
The Jets are looking for playmakers on the offensive side of the ball. Bourne would not necessarily be recognized as a starter. But during his time with the 49ers, Bourne proved to be someone capable of filling whatever role assigned to him.
Bourne had issues with consistency during his four seasons with the 49ers. He is coming off a career-best season with 49 receptions for 667 yards.
Bourne is a good teammate, and he would be the only one in the receivers room who knows what LaFleur will be installing on offense. His presence could help others as they transition to the new offense.
It does not seem likely the 49ers will make much of an attempt to re-sign Ahkello Witherspoon.
After all, coach Kyle Shanahan could not hide his frustration with Witherspoon during the past three seasons.
Witherspoon played well late in the season after being inactive for a sizable portion of the year.
But Saleh always spoke highly of Witherspoon. It’s probably more important for Witherspoon to end up with Saleh than the other way around.
The Jets’ situation at safety is pretty good if they re-sign Marcus Maye as an unrestricted free agent. The Jets like Ashtyn Davis, the former Cal star whom they selected in the third round of the 2020 draft.
Tartt, however, could be someone the Jets go after. The 49ers already seem to have replacements in place. Tarvarius Moore is under contract for another year and Marcell Harris could be easily retained as a restricted free agent.
At one point, it looked as if Ronald Blair would be ready for Week 1 after undergoing ACL surgery late in the 2019 season. But he was never physically able to get on the field in 2020.
We do not know if Blair will be able to resume his career. But if he is, you can be sure that Saleh would love to give him that opportunity.
Remember back in 2019 what Saleh had to say about Blair?
“If you like winning, you like Ronnie,” Saleh said. “If you don’t, you don’t. He’s just a model of consistency, man. I love Ronnie.”
