The 49ers are Still Looking for Secondary Depth
The team is still looking around available cornerbacks to bolster the depth chart ahead of training camp.
The San Francisco 49ers may be looking at adding to their cornerback room, a sign that they might not be done bolstering their roster ahead of the 2025 season. According to Aaron Wilson, general manager John Lynch discussed signing former first-round pick turned United Football League star Damon Arnette, before he signed with the Houston Texans.
Wilson reported that the 49ers had the next most interest behind the Texans, with others, including the Packers, also reaching out. Arnette would sign a one-year, $1.03 million deal in hopes of reviving his career. Originally drafted by the Las Vegas Raiders in 2020, Arnette quickly fell out of the league due to injuries and off-field issues.
The 49ers' interest suggests that they may still be looking to revamp a secondary that lost Charvarius Ward to free agency this offseason. The team has kept replacements internal, with fifth-year corner Deommodore Lenoir set to take Ward’s spot, and sophomore Renardo Green set for the promotion across from him. They would also draft Upton Stout in the third round, who’ll compete with veteran and former Seattle Seahawk Tre Brown for the third starting position.
One prominent name remaining in free agency is former Los Angeles Charger Asante Samuel Jr. A former second-round pick in 2021, Samuel had a strong rookie season but fell into bouts of inconsistency through injuries and coaching turnover. That would continue into 2024, where a shoulder injury would sideline him for most of the season before he had a chance to prove himself under the Jim Harbaugh regime. Samuel has been waiting to be fully cleared after his shoulder surgery before signing with a team.
He could certainly challenge Lenoir, but more likely fits into the slot or competing against Green for the second perimeter spot. Other free agents like Rasul Douglas remain available, but the 49ers haven’t shown much interest to this point. If they were to lose out on Samuel, perhaps they’d consider another free agent, but for now they seem poised to offer a competitive offer to the former Charger. After the injury issues this team has dealt with in recent history, adding depth would be a safe move, but Samuel also represents the upside to be a potential upgrade in Saleh’s defense.