NFL Free Agents 2012: Brandon Carr Better Fit Than Carlos Rogers for 49ers

I'm beginning to warm up to an idea one of my readers suggested: Let Carlos Rogers test the market and go hard after Brandon Carr in free agency.

A certain amount of risk would be involved, to be sure. There is the possibility that the 49ers might not have either one of them when the dust settles.

Still, there are good reasons for believing it is a risk worth taking. 

Even with the worst-case scenario of losing Rogers and missing out on Carr, the 49ers wouldn't exactly be in the worst shape in the world. 

Trent Baalke is already expecting second-year man Chris Culliver to occupy at least one of the starting cornerback slots. As a rookie, Culliver proved he has the chops to hang with some of the best receivers in the NFL, and it looks to me like he is a superstar in the making.

Tarell Brown performed admirably in 2011, starting all 16 games opposite Rogers and pulling down four interceptions. He is a good option as either the No. 2 cornerback or as the nickel back.

Tramaine Brock is the other corner the team currently has on the roster that will be a big part of what it does in 2012. He had his ups and downs last year for the 49ers, but he is still young (23) and the future looks bright for him.

The 49ers won't be bringing back Shawntae Spencer in 2012, as he was set to earn $3.3 million. They have granted him permission to seek a trade, and according to Matt Maiocco of csnbayarea.com, the Houston Texans, Seattle Seahawks and St. Louis Rams are among the teams that might be interested.

So, even if the 49ers strike out in their efforts to land Carr, they are still in a good position to do what they did in 2011 and wait for the right fit to land in their laps. Even so, I see no reason to believe they wouldn't have a fantastic chance at luring him over if they targeted once free agency starts.

The reason I'm high on Carr is that he and Rogers aren't that far apart in terms of how good they are. They are both darn good. The thing is, Carr is still on the upside. He hasn't even begun to enter into his prime at age 25.

The 49ers should consider taking a risk in order to continue getting younger for a chance to build a dynasty. Rogers might be good for a few more years, at best. Carr might have another decade in him.

I know it isn't Baalke's m/o to make big waves during free agency. I think he's done a fantastic job making decisions, and he knows a hell of a lot more than me about evaluating football talent. Still, if I could have his ear for just a minute, I would plead for him to at least consider this course of action.

If they landed Carr, they would have three fantastic young cornerbacks, all of them under 25.

What do you think? Should the 49ers consider letting Rogers test the market and grab his younger replacement? There is always the chance Rogers ends up like Dashon Goldson last year and comes back for cheap anyways. 

Seems like a good deal to me.

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