Heading into NFL free agency, the San Francisco 49ers will be looking to address the cornerback position.
Charvarius Ward, Rock Ya-Sin, Isaac Yiadom, and Nick McCloud are set to be unrestricted free agents when the new league year begins, meaning the 49ers could need as many as four new cornerbacks in 2025.
The 49ers got ahead of that potential issue on Friday, claiming former Los Angeles Rams cornerback Tre’Vius Tomlinson off of waivers. The Rams waived Tomlinson earlier this week after taking him in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
The #49ers claim CB Tre Tomlinson off waivers.
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) March 7, 2025
📰: https://t.co/I33vCgKhjP pic.twitter.com/VTEanwSrf2
Tomlinson appeared in 15 games as a rookie in 2023, spending most of his time on special teams. The former TCU defensive back did not play this past season as he was placed on injured reserve with an undisclosed injury.
The former Rams' cornerback had a decorated collegiate career at TCU. He had 125 tackles, 41 pass breakups, five interceptions, four tackles for loss, and three forced fumbles.
In 2022, Tomlinson won the Jim Thorpe Award, which is given to the country’s best defensive back. During that season, Tomlinson recorded 50 combined tackles, 15 pass deflections (most in the Big 12), three interceptions, and two tackles for loss.
The former Rams cornerback will hope for a fresh start with the Niners and carve out a role in Robert Saleh’s defense.
With San Francisco potentially losing multiple cornerbacks, the more depth and competition at the position will only help the 49ers prepare for the 2025 season. They play in a division that has good WRs such as Puka Nacua, Cooper Kupp (for now), DK Metcalf (for now), and Marvin Harrison Jr.
49ers fans should expect the team to add more defensive backs in free agency and the NFL Draft, where they have 12 draft picks.