Considering CB Chris Harris contract extension with Broncos and Perrish Cox, Chris Culliver

The Denver Broncos have signed cornerback Chris Harris to a five year contract extension worth as much as $42.5 million, according to Mike Klis of the Denver Post. The Broncos signed Harris as an undrafted free agent in 2011, and he has put together an impressive body of work since cracking the lineup as a nickel back during his rookie season.

I bring this up because the 49ers have both starting cornerbacks hitting free agency after this season. I don't see Chris Culliver or Perrish Cox getting this kind of contract, but it will be interesting to see just what the market looks like in the spring. While Harris has shown improvement each year, culminating in a bit of a breakout campaign in 2014, Culliver and Cox have much more incomplete portfolios.

The 49ers drafted Culliver in 2011, and he quickly moved into the nickel back role his rookie season. He would come in on the outside, and Carlos Rogers moved inside. Culliver had growing pains, but in 2011 and the first half of 2012 he was quite solid. However, the second half of the 2012 season through the Super Bowl was a struggle for him. Part of it was likely due to the struggles of the defense with an injured Justin Smith, but it all culminated in a nightmare Super Bowl.

Culliver then tore his ACL at the start of 2013 training camp, and missed the whole season. He returned this year, and in spite of some bumps along the way, he has actually had a very solid campaign. It's not shutdown cornerback caliber, but it has been solid.

The 49ers signed Perrish Cox to a two year contract in 2012, after he had missed the 2011 season due to a sexual assault trial. He served as the dime back in 2012 and 2013, but was released midway through the 2013 season when the team activated Eric Wright. Cox signed with the Seahawks, and was subsequently released. He returned to the 49ers when Carlos Rogers suffered a rib hamstring injury, and it was clear Eric Wright was not an answer for the 49ers secondary.

However, Cox emerged in 2014 after Tramaine Brock got hurt early in training camp. Cox found new life outside, looking significantly better as an outside cornerback than as a nickel back. He is tied for second in the NFL with four interceptions. His play has come back to earth a little bit, but for the most part he has been solid.

Harris ranks No. 1 according to Pro Football Focus. Culliver ranks No. 12, and Cox ranks No. 32. Again, Culliver and Cox are not getting Harris kind of money, but they will be looking for some kind of pay day when free agency opens. It is possible the 49ers get a deal done with one or both of them before free agency, but it really depends on what each side wants out of a new contract.

Do you think one or both of them will be back in 2015?