San Francisco 49ers’ Eric Wright Trade Voided a Blessing in Disguise


Eric Wright

Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The San Francisco 49ers just lost one their cornerbacks, and that corner is recent acquisition Eric Wright of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.  Since Wright failed his physical, the trade that added more competition for starter spots in the secondary, especially at cornerback, is now void.  Wright was supposed to add depth to the 49ers’ defense given the way teams are spreading the field in the NFL.

Tampa Bay was set to receive a conditional pick in the 2014 draft.  After the trade was voided, the Buccaneers released Wright and he is expected to be on the free agent market until his legal issues are resolved.

The failure of Wright’s physical is a good thing for the other cornerbacks on the 49ers’ roster because it is less competition for the two starting spots. For the defense and the team as a whole, it can hurt a little bit. Wright would have added depth to the secondary in the case of injury, provided versatility in coverage schemes and the ability to keep defenders fresh throughout games.

San Francisco could still end up with Wright in the end because he is a free agent and he can be signed for cheap.  In this era of the NFL, a quality cornerback is a precious commodity.  San Francisco has re-signed recently released Lowell Rose who was cut by the Niners to make room for Wright.  The 49ers are set to begin training camp on July 24. This season they are expecting to return to the Super Bowl and leave with a victory.

John Ware is a San Francisco 49ers writer for Rant Sports. Follow him on Twitter @OutermindMedia, “Like” him on Facebook, or add him to your network on Google+



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