How Richard Sherman and Jason Verrett aid the 49ers receivers development

CB Jason Verrett received first team reps today in practice and performed exceptionally well. The combination of him and Richard Sherman will benefit not only the defense, but the development of the wide receivers.

The San Francisco 49ers secondary has been in desperate need for quality depth. The drop off in talent outside of Richard Sherman is enormous. Now that the 49ers brought on Jason Verrett via free agency the talent drop off isn't as significant. Verrett, when healthy, is regarded as one of the elite corners in the game. Today Verrett took first team reps at practice and did not show any rust.

Verrett is the key to unlocking the San Francisco 49ers secondary, however that isn't his only benefit. If Verrett wins the starting cornerback spot oppposite of Sherman, which he is the likely favorite, then the combination of the two elite corners will immensely benefit the wide receivers. The 49ers receiver group is filled with young and raw talent. Just think of them as a piece of clay that has yet to be molded into.

#49ers Jason Verrett took first-team reps at right cornerback and did not disappoint. He broke up a Garoppolo pass toward Goodwin on 2nd rep of 11s.
— Cam Inman (@CamInman) August 2, 2019

Going up against two star cornerbacks will aid their development. The repetition and coaching that will be provided to them by facing them is something they won't find on any other team. Sherman and Verrett are two incredibly smart players, so they will be able to give out pointers when need be. Iron sharpens iron is the saying right? Well in this case it's more like iron versus steel with the receivers as iron and the two corners as steel.

What the receivers have to do is simply evolve and grow. Adapt to the situation, so that come game time they will be sharp enough like steel to cut through any defense. The different looks and approaches that will be thrown at these receivers should not be taken for granted. Many wideouts on different teams get it put in their head that they're better than they are when really they are practicing against low tier defenders.

In this case for the San Francisco 49ers receivers, they know they are getting the best. It's the best look and closest they will get to a live game situation. The different looks that will be thrown at the receivers by Sherman and Verrett should cause them to expand their arsenal. Develop a double move, figure out different ways to get off the jam, finding weak spots in a defense. All of that and more is what the receivers will have an easier time with.

Of course the coaching staff should be implementing this into their players, but having these two elite corners will just aid and even expedite the learning curve. Time is critical in the NFL because there is so little of it. It's why having veteran players is a huge benefit for teams since they can speed the coaching and the process. Despite all of this, it will not matter if Jason Verrett finds himself on the injury report repeatedly again. How his health holds up will be unpredictable, but his impact when healthy will be felt throughout the team.