The San Francisco 49ers have 14 unrestricted free agents who hit the market when the new league year begins today at 1 p.m. PT/4 p.m. ET. Let’s conclude our countdown with a backup cornerback who was limited by injury in his first year with the Niners in 2014.
CB Chris Cook
Originally a second-round pick of the Minnesota Vikings in 2010, Cook started 29 of 34 games in four years for the Vikings, but never played more than the 12 games in which he appeared in 2013. He has more career sacks (1.0) than interceptions (0).
49ers career: He came to Santa Clara last year as a free agent to provide depth in the secondary and on special teams and after being inactive for the season opener at Dallas, appeared in the next six games before a hamstring injury ended his season. Cook had three tackles and two special teams tackles.
Argument for keeping Cook: He would provide depth to a secondary already in danger of losing both starting cornerbacks in Chris Culliver and Perrish Cox. And at 6-feet-2, 212 pounds, he’s a bigger corner that is needed for the bigger receivers in today’s games.
Argument for letting Cook walk: He only played six games so his contributions were negligible, or negligible enough to present him with a lucrative deal. Plus, since he’s 28, the Niners could find a younger, cheaper alternative either late in the draft or in an undrafted free agent to fill his role.
A bold prediction: With his size and the Niners’ holes in the secondary, Cook is intriguing enough to bring back for another look.