© Kirby Lee | 2020 Jan 30
The most surprising element of the 49ers’ offseason was the front office’s decision not to address the defensive back position, considering Richard Sherman, Jaquiski Tartt, K’Waun Williams, Ahkello Witherspoon and Emmanuel Mosley are all scheduled to hit free agency in 2021.
Sherman doesn’t seem surprised, however, and had a quip ready when asked about the 49ers standing pat on Murph & Mac Wednesday morning.
“It’s almost like we have the number one pass defense in football or something,” Sherman said with a chuckle. “Maybe it worked out a little bit for us. I could be crazy but that’s what it would seem like to me.”
Sherman is right about that. The 49ers allowed both the fewest yards (2707) and yards per attempt (4.8) through the air last season.
“They trust this group. Our chemistry is only getting better. The more you play with a DB group, it’s kind of like an O-Line group. The more reps you get together, the more of a feel you get for the entire back seven really, the more you know how guys are going to play with one another. So you know which concepts guys are going to fight a little harder on, or which guys are going to lean back a little harder.”
Trust or not, re-signing all of upcoming free agents could prove tricky, especially if either Witherspoon or Moseley have a strong year in 2020. The 49ers will likely draft a defensive back in what is supposed to be a strong DB draft in 2021, and also will have the opportunity to fill gaps in free agency.
“I think you could’ve easily said ‘hey lets go get a corner,’ but our room is really strong and would’ve been stronger with an addition, but I think they believe in the guys we have and that’s a testament to those men”
Listen to the full interview below.