49ers fill Cornerback needs with former Bay Area star, Prepare for NFL Draft

The 49ers' search for a new cornerback is over. Having already made adjustments in several departments this offseason including at wide-receiver, defensive tackle and kicker, San Francisco has finally addressed the area most in need of a makeover. After flirting with the thoughts of possibly bringing in Darrelle Revis before realizing that it just wouldn't work out financially, the 49ers went out and landed a player more fit for their budget in Nnamdi Asomugha. The former first round pick out of Cal Berkeley played just a stones throw away from his college campus for the Oakland Raiders whom he represented in the Pro Bowl for three consecutive season from 2008-2010 during his 8-year tenure with the franchise. Asomugha, 31, was targeted by the 49ers as a free-agent just two offseasons ago before signing a five-year, $60 Million pact with the Philadelphia Eagles.

After two sub-par seasons in Phillly which many blamed on the defensive system ran by Andy Reid, Asomugha was cut from the team just hours into the official start of the 2013 season, making him a free-agent. Seeking a change of scenery and a fresh start, the 4-time All-Pro found an answer in the 49ers. With the acquisition being a low risk, high reward deal for San Francisco granted no money is guaranteed and is almost all incentive based, Asomugha gets to return to the bay area with a team stacked with star players on defense that will compliment his talents. Not to mention he'll have a chip on his shoulder looking to prove there's still plenty left in his tank. Normally a player of his caliber would take offense to the thought of a 1-year deal worth practically nothing but with the Eagles slated to pay him $4 Million in salary in 2013, Asomugha could do without a hefty paycheck. For a player who's raked in plenty of cash throughout his career but has yet to reach the playoffs, the only thing on the mind of a 10-year veteran like Asomugha is winning a championship. And who has a better shot at hoisting the Lombardi Trophy next season than the San Francisco 49ers.

So what's not to like about the Niners signing Asomugha? Sure we would've all preferred seeing a healthy Darelle Revis donning the red and gold, picking off passes like Deion Sanders did during San Francisco's last title run in 1994, but Jim Harbaugh and company won't have to worry about the thought of receiving damaged goods in Revis while giving up a plethora of draft picks in return which makes Asomugha less of a gamble and by far the safer choice. If Asomugha does flourish in a Niners uniform he can make up to $3 Million depending on if his team makes it to the playoffs. He can also see those figures rise if he makes it to the Pro-Bowl. Nnamdi will be competing alongside teammates Chris Culliver, Tarell Brown and Carlos Rogers for a nod at the starting cornerback position. And with the help of defensive coordinator Vic Fangio at his aid, coach Harbaugh hopes to milk every once of football out of Asomugha in order to solve their issues in the secondary and once again make the 49ers defense the most formidable force in the entire National Football League.

Just when you thought San Francisco's busy offseason was done they went and traded for Cleveland Browns QB Colt McCoy. Expected to battle it out with fellow backup Scott Tolzien, McCoy who opened the 2011 season as the Browns starting quarterback, saw limited action last year while serving as the backup for Cleveland's Brandon Weeden. McCoy, a former Heisman Trophy runner-up in 2008 with the Texas Longhorns whom he set numerous passing records with helps the 49ers fill the hole left by Alex Smith who was traded last month to the Chiefs, leaving the strong safety position as the area most in need of upgrading. And with 13 picks in all in this month's NFL Draft the 49ers are expected to target that position with either their first or second pick (31st and 34th overall).

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