Tarell

Brown

Rogers was the Raiders’ slot corner prior to landing on I.R. He appeared in seven games and graded out negatively in coverage. Brown, 30, was among the worst starting corners in the league last year. The Raiders have T.J. Carrie as an in-house replacement.

The 49ers were reportedly offering a three-year, $10 million deal, but Brown decided to bet on himself and take the one-year offer. Brown will pencil in as the starter opposite D.J. Hayden. He should have plenty of chances to prove his worth before taking another run at free agency next offseason.

Brown had been the one constant of a surprisingly competent Raiders’ secondary in 2014, logging 1000 snaps across 14 games. A free agent this offseason, Brown should be able to find a starting job for 2015. T.J. Carrie will slide into the starting lineup with Brown sidelined.

Brown aggravated an existing foot condition against the 49ers last week. He got in a limited practice Friday, but was reportedly moving gingerly. Brown has struggled at times this season, but he has been the Raiders’ most consistent corner. T.J. Carrie would get the start opposite D.J. Hayden if Brown cannot go.

Since entering the league in 2007, Brown had never played consistently enough to retain the starting job for a full season. Grading out 39th out of 109 cornerbacks rated by Pro Football Focus in 2011, Brown teamed with Carlos Rogers and Chris Culliver to give the Niners one of the top units in the league.

Culliver essentially emerged as a starter during his rookie year, playing left corner in all nickel packages down the stretch. Beat writer Matt Maiocco notes that RCB Tarell Brown played well in his first full season as a starter, and fourth corner Tramaine Brock will return. Those factors could lead to the 49ers to low-ball free agent Carlos Rogers. Eight-year vet Shawntae Spencer, who is scheduled to make $3.2 million in 2012, is not expected to return.

Brown started all 16 games in 2012, just as he did in 2011. En route to the Super Bowl, Brown notched 57 tackles, 14 pass deflections, and two interceptions, while grading out as Pro Football Focus’ No. 13 corner in the regular season. San Francisco had one of the top defensive backfields all season long, but after getting exposed by Joe Flacco, they’re expected to address it this offseason.

Brown unknowingly voided a $2 million escalator due to his old agent’s ineptitude. He’s since fired Brian Overstreet and hired Joel Segal. “No, I haven’t moved on,” Brown said. He hopes to work out a resolution with the team before Week 1. Brown is in the final year of a three-year, $7.125M contract signed in 2009. He’s started every game for the Niners in the last two seasons.

Brian Overstreet was Brown’s agent. The 28-year-old corner was scheduled to earn a $2.925 million salary in the final year of his deal, but that hinged on Brown working out with the team. Instead, he decided to work out on his own on his agent’s bad advice. Brown is entrenched as a starter for the Niners, but he ought to be awfully angry after throwing away $2 million.

Brown, 28, is entering the final year of his contract, one in which he’ll earn a base salary of $2.925 million. Beat writer Matt Barrows points out that the 49ers typically like to lock their contract-year players up well before they are set to hit free agency. The team’s best cover corner, Brown recorded 14 pass breakups and graded out as Pro Football Focus’ No. 13 corner last season.