49ers Jason Verrett is the type of player you take a chance on in free agency

It’s one thing to sign boom or bust players. It’s another to sign a player where there’s essentially no liability against you. This is the case of when talking about new San Francisco 49ers CB Jason Verrett. The worst thing that can happen is you receive a 7th round comp pick. The most likely outcome is he lights a fire under the two youngsters opposite of Richard Sherman and they develop into consistent competent corners. The ceiling of this signing is Verrett gives you a full season and a year from now we’re discussing if he should get $15 million a year.

Verrett was always loved by everyone around him. Don’t believe me? The Chargers general manager Tom Telesco has a picture of Jason Verrett hanging on his wall in his office. I’m serious. If that doesn’t convince you, nothing will. Yet, here I go trying. Verrett is known as one of the hardest working people in the organization. His teammates love him. They were vocal in their support for Verrett getting another deal.

We remember Verrett being good. I don’t think I’ve painted a clear enough picture on just how good he is. I have a perfect refresher, though. On a Monday night football game in 2015, Verrett followed Antonio Brown everywhere he went. If Brown went to get a swing of gatorade, then Verrett was thirsty too and he went with him. Here’s how that night turned out:

If the takeaway from that was “Well Mike Vick was throwing the ball”, you should watch that again. Good luck finding a QB that can complete a pass against that coverage.

That video gives you a glance at what Verrett’s ceiling is. Most fans will see him and immediately pigenhole him into the slot. Which makes sense because of his top tier speed and quickness. Ironically, Verrett has much better success against the bigger receivers. His 2016 games are a great example of that. Verrett completely erased current Chicago Bears wide receiver Allen Robinson. That was before his injuries when Robinson was at his peak. But Colts speedster T.Y. Hilton ate him up.

Over the course of his career Verrett has always flashed all-everything potential. Whether it was out jumping a 6’4 wide receiver for a game ending interception against Oakland, which he celebrated with one hand on the way down, or literally taking the ball out of Jeremy Maclin’s hands mid-air for an interception.

That’s why you bet on Verrett. Turnovers won’t be a problem if he’s on the field. When he’s not on the field, he’ll still help you. A lot of young guys don’t know the type of dedication it takes to take your game to the next level in the NFL. That’s not their fault. They’ve never had to work this hard before. Verrett’s charisma and work-ethic will rub off on the locker room. It can be something as simple as helping D.J. Reed with technique. Oh, and he already has the players respect. They know his talent:

That guy might know a thing or two about covering receivers.

When there’s mutual respect, and players start to buy into each other. That’s when you see fewer mental mistakes. Everyone is on the same page. An area where the 49ers secondary can certainly benefit.