Breaking Down The 49ers roster: The Secondary

With the combine taking place this weekend, it is time to wrap up my break down of the San Francisco 49ers roster.

The penultimate part of this examination comes with a look at San Francisco's secondary, which could be much changed by the time the team starts training camp.

An underrated unit, the 49ers' secondary is considered to be the weak link of an outstanding defense, but was not without its outstanding performers in 2013.

Rookie Eric Reid was undoubtedly the star of the secondary, with the rookie free safety playing in every game and totalling 77 tackles and four interceptions, despite suffering two concussions in his debut season.

Cornerback Tramaine Brock also enjoyed a strong campaign, snaring five interceptions and earning a new contract that will keep him with the team until 2018.

Holes in the 49ers' secondary were evident in 2013, though, cornerback Carlos Rogers experienced a slump in performances and Donte Whitner - the excellent, hard-hitting strong safety - continues to be somewhat of a liability in pass coverage.

The futures of Rogers and Whitner are very much up in the air heading into the off-season.

Rogers is not scheduled to hit free agency until 2016, but was asked to take a pay cut prior to this past season or risk being released.

An injury to Chris Culliver all but ensured Rogers' place on the team, however, the 49ers, who could save $5million by releasing Rogers from his contract, are likely to ask the former Washington Redskins cornerback to consider restructuring his deal for a second time.

Whitner, meanwhile, is poised to hit the open market and will undoubtedly be one of the most coveted free agent safeties in the league.

The 49ers have limited cap room available and also have the potential extensions to the contracts of Colin Kaepernick, Michael Crabtree and Aldon Smith to consider.

Those factors may see Whitner's three-year association with the 49ers come to an end, leaving San Francisco in need of a new partner for the highly impressive Reid.

Tarrell Brown is another 49ers free agent and could also be set to move to pastures new, especially given the likely return of the highly rated Culliver.

Seven-year cornerback Eric Wright is not expected to return but, although the 2014 draft is deep at the cornerback position, it is difficult to envisage San Francisco allowing all three of Rogers, Whitner and Brown to head through the exit door.

San Francisco should address the secondary in the draft regardless of which current players leave the team, and the 49ers have plenty of options to consider if they wish to improve an already excellent defence.

Oklahoma State's Justin Gilbert is arguably the top prospect at cornerback, with Ohio State's Bradley Roby and Michigan State's Darqueze Dennard also expected to go in the first round.

TCU corner Jason Verrett is another who could be off the board early, while Florida's Marcus Roberson and Utah's Keith McGill have been tipped as potential 49ers draftees.

The draft class at safety, by stark contrast, is nowhere near as deep. Alabama's Ha'Sean Clinton-Dix is considered by most to be the top safety in the draft, however, a more realistic option for the 49ers - should Whitner leave the team - may be to take Washington State's Deone Bucannon, who could still be available in the second round.

Away from the draft, the Miami Dolphins' Brent Grimes and Vontae Davis of the Indianapolis Colts could be viable free-agent options at cornerback, but the 49ers will be hard-pressed to find a significant upgrade on Whitner via the same avenue.