The San Francisco 49ers lost one of their best players in the secondary on Wednesday when Dashon Goldson signed a deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but the team could be gaining another one in free agent cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha.
The Philadelphia Eagles cut Asomugha earlier this week and according to NFL.com, the 49ers and the cornerback have mutual interest in each other. The report says Comcast SportsNet Bay Area writes that league sources have confirmed the interest from the 49ers, while ProFootballTalk.com reports that Asomugha is also being targeted by the Denver Broncos, Houston Texans and Arizona Cardinals.
Asomugha joined the Eagles in 2011 and was part of the self-proclaimed "dream team" but the Eagles finished 8-8 before going 4-12 this season, which resulted in the firing of Andy Reid. Asomugha originally signed a five-year, $60 million contract after making a number of Pro Bowls with the Raiders, but he never showed that talent in Philadelphia.
Although Asomugha made only four interceptions over his 31 games with the Eagles, he could give the 49ers a veteran presence in the secondary and could rejuvenate his career under Jim Harbaugh, much like quarterback Alex Smith did. The 49ers had a chance in the past to sign Asomugha when he was a free agent, but instead San Francisco brought in Carlos Rogers and the let the Eagles pay him the big contract.
Asomugha will be 32-years-old and although he has slipped in recent years, he could be a shutdown corner for the 49ers. If Asomugha decides to sign with a different team, the 49ers could fall back and sign Sean Smith, who had a solid season with the Dolphins, or Brent Grimes, who is coming off of an injury for the Falcons.
Asomugha was set to be paid $15 million in 2013, which is one reason why the Eagles wanted to release him. The team tried to work out a deal to have Asomugha take a pay cut, but the two sides could not come to an agreement. The 49ers could also look at Asomugha's teammate from last season, Dominique Rogers-Cromartie, who is also a free agent, but update, he signed with the Denver Broncos.
San Francisco had one of the top defenses in the NFL last season and ranked fourth in the league in passing yards allowed per game. The team was able to shut down teams in the secondary and will likely add depth in the draft if they don't sign Asomugha.
