With some slight questions ongoing for the 49ers at the cornerback position, the team is bringing in a known name for a workout on Friday.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Niners will hold a workout with former first-round pick Dre Kirkpatrick:
The #49ers are working out veteran FA Dre Kirkpatrick tomorrow, source said, as the former #Bengals and #AZCardinals starter looks to land. Kirkpatrick worked out for the #Patriots a few months back, as well.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 29, 2021
As 49ers training camp got underway this week, the team was handed a tough break. Expected starting cornerback Emmanuel Moseley was placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list. Tim Harris, a 2019 sixth-round pick, took over his spot with the first-team defense.
In addition, the Niners are generally inexperienced at the position. Depth players currently include Ambry Thomas and Deommodore Lenoir, rookies with no NFL experience. There had been talks of a reunion with Richard Sherman this offseason, however, his recent off-field issues might have pumped the brakes on that idea for the 49ers.
That could’ve helped turned the Niners’ attention to Kirkpatrick, who was a first rounder of the Bengals back in 2012. After spending eight years with Cincy, he skipped town to the NFC West, signing with the Cardinals in 2020.
In his career, Kirkpatrick has notched 13 interceptions and defended 72 passes. Just last season, he had three picks and seven pass breakups.
However, the fancy stats were not nice to him. Pro Football Focus graded the 31-year-old a poor 49.0 overall grade in 2020. His coverage number from the analytics outlet was even worse, a 46.1.
Despite that, the Patriots and Saints were two teams that still expressed interest in Kirkpatrick earlier this offseason.
Check back to Niners Wire for any updates regarding Kirkpatrick and the 49ers.
[lawrence-related id=667822,667819,667786,667784]