Free agent CB Sherman to visit 49ers

The first stop? The San Francisco 49ers.

The Seahawks drafted Sherman in the fifth round of the 2011 NFL Draft out of Stanford. Also, no player who's been targeted 300-plus times over that span has allowed a lower completion percentage (47.4) or passer rating (50.9).

Sherman played just nine games in 2017 before sustaining a season-ending ruptured Achilles tendon. It's the ideal trifecta of reasons for the four-time Pro Bowler to end up in San Francisco.

Beyond that, Sherman is an obvious and easy fit in the 49ers' defense.

"I want to go to a contender", Sherman said Friday on KIRO radio in Seattle.

But the move to release Sherman, coupled with a recent trade of defensive end Michael Bennett, is a sign Seattle is tearing down its defence and is ready to build a new team with a new identity.

Shaquill Griffin will return as the starter at right cornerback and the team is expected to tender restricted free agent Justin Coleman to return as the nickel corner.

Let's ignore the dislike many Niners fans probably have for Sherman for a moment and explore the other question. But some players, including former Panthers defenders Jon Beason and Charles Godfrey, needed two seasons before they returned to their pre-Achilles surgery form. He's remained optimistic that he can, but only time will reveal that.

The Seahawks have told Sherman they would be interested in talking to him about a new contract at less than the $11 million he was scheduled to make. The team is also young and thin on this side of the ball. Reports indicated that Seattle wanted Sherman to take a pay cut before releasing him.