Golden Nuggets: Kyle Fuller could be available when free agency begins

The 49ers are reportedly making a strong push to sign top free agent cornerback Trumaine Johnson. Johnson, who is not expected to return to the Los Angeles Rams after the Marcus Peters’ trade, is a physical corner that the 49ers would love to have on their defense. He would pair up with Ahkello Witherspoon and they could form a solid secondary pairing. The 49ers have been looking to solidify their cornerback position for years and were never able to find a reliable starting corner. Ahkello developed into a solid player and won his starting spot, but Dontae Johnson never really panned out as the prior regime would have hoped.

Another option for the 49ers would be to go after Kyle Fuller. Kyle will reportedly not be franchise tagged by the Chicago Bears and will hit free agency. He is only 26, which is 2 years younger than Trumaine. He led the NFL in pass breakups last season and is coming off the best season of his career. The franchise tag would have paid Fuller just shy of $15 million. The Bears and Fuller will likely continue to work on a deal, but his availability will be closely monitored by the 49ers.

On Monday, the defensive backs showed off their abilities to close out the NFL combine for this year. With the #9 pick in the draft, the 49ers have the option to select a highly coveted corner. Denzel Ward, Minkah Fitzpatrick, and Josh Jackson are all potential targets with the pick, but with Trumaine Johnson and potentially Kyle Fuller available, the 49ers seem more likely to address corner in the free agent market.

49ers links

Biggest piece of the puzzle has been found | Jimmy secures the quarterback position for the future (Wagoner)

This guy needed help years ago | Aldon Smith in the news again for the wrong reasons (Hille)

Hopefully he stays there for awhile | Aldon in rehab following latest incident (Florio)

The 49ers could make a huge play for him | Kyle Fuller unlikely to get franchise tag (Biderman)

#9 pick (Martin)

Hopefully he ends up on a contender | Where is Frank Gore going? (Barrows)

John Lynch runs 40 yard dash (Fann)

Aldon gets in trouble again (Barrows)

Need him healthy next season | Trent Brown’s improvement (Williams)

DBs’ day at the combine (Biderman)

Kyle Shanahan liked Philly’s SB play call (Fann)

Franchise tag numbers (Alper)

A name to look for heading into the draft | Harold Landry (Biderman)