San Francisco 49ers free agency 2018: Top 5 targets
By Joe Romano
Trumaine Johnson, CB
Former team: Los Angeles Rams
If San Francisco believes that Kyle Shanahan’s offense and John Lynch’s drafting can address the offense well enough, they could turn their attention to the defense. The first name on that defensive list should be corner Trumaine Johnson.
The former Los Angeles Ram, had a down season by his standards but is a legitimate number on corner in the NFL. He played this past season on the Rams’ franchise tag and is looking for a long term contract. San Francisco could try to keep him in state with that offer.
The 49ers secondary was extremely young and it showed. They spent a third round pick this past year on Akhello Witherspoon out of Colorado. He showed some flashes, finishing with one of the highest grades from Pro Football Focus of players that got drafted in the third round. He is still learning and will need someone opposite him to excel.
Enter Johnson who started his career opposite Janoris Jenkins. When the Rams let Jenkins walk, the idea was that Johnson was chosen over Jenkins and the team would lock him up. The two sides have been unable to secure a long term deal and Johnson could hit the open market this offseason.
Top corners are getting paid between $12-14 million with Josh Norman’s $15 million leading the way. A player like Johnson who will turn 28 this upcoming season, could find his salary in that same range.
Pairing the 6-foot-2 Johnson with the 6-foot-3 Witherspoon would give San Francisco a paid of long athletic corners to deal with receivers. The position would need further addressing in the draft but that pair is not a bad way to start.