As the San Francisco 49ers look to rebound from a nightmarish season in 2024, they’ll have a key member of the secondary to replace.

Free-agent cornerback Charvarius Ward was a Pro Bowler for the 49ers in 2023, but he’s likely headed elsewhere in free agency after dealing with personal tragedy during the 2024 season. Two other 49ers depth corners, Rock Ya-Sin and Isaac Yiadom are also free agents.

Ward had an excellent three-year 49ers tenure on the whole and won’t be easy to replace. But with 25-year-old Deommodore Lenoir locked into a long-term extension on one side of the secondary, the 49ers also have the chance to build a young, stable cornerback duo if they find the right free-agent fit.

ESPN’s Aaron Schatz believes the right fit is four-year Los Angeles Chargers corner Asante Samuel. Schatz projected the 49ers would sign Samuel this offseason in a column published Friday.

“The 49ers need to get younger at an important position, and Samuel would help them do that,” Schatz wrote. “He will be just 26 next season and is coming off a season where he played only four games due to a shoulder injury.”

“However, he had above-average coverage DVOA in his limited time after a good season in 2022 and a down season in 2023. Samuel excels in zone coverage and has strong ball skills, which fits what the 49ers’ defense wants to do on the back end.”

Samuel had two interceptions in each of his first three seasons before the injury, while racking up 176 tackles, 37 pass deflections, and a 92.3 passer rating when targeted. The son of former Super Bowl champion corner Asante Samuel, the younger Samuel would surely love to help the 49ers add to their trophy case.

Spotrac projects that Samuel’s market value is four years, $45 million, which is a lot less than they’re paying Lenoir (five years, $92 million) on an average annual value basis. If general manager John Lynch sees the same fit Schatz does, this signing would make a lot of sense.