Niner Noise
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5 Players the San Francisco 49ers Should Cut in 2017

By Peter Panacy

Oct 19, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Ahmad Brooks (55) before the game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 19, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Ahmad Brooks (55) before the game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 22, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers cornerback Keith Reaser (27) kneels on the field before the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 22, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers cornerback Keith Reaser (27) kneels on the field before the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 5: Cornerback Keith Reaser

General manager Trent Baalke loves stockpiling his defensive backs. But cornerback Keith Reaser, an ACL-injury experiment from the 2014 NFL Draft, certainly hasn’t panned out.

According to Pro Football Focus, Reaser has a 49.5 overall and 50.4 pass-coverage grade on the season — both lows among San Francisco’s top-four cornerbacks.

Standing by is fellow 2014 draftee and cornerback Dontae Johnson.

Johnson, who has only seen 34 snaps this season — it’s anyone’s guess why — is significantly better, per PFF, in both categories.

Reaser is getting his chance to prove his value this season, much higher than in any year previously. And yet he’s not rising up to the challenge.

Considering how crowded the Niners secondary is entering 2017, removing one piece would let the others fall into place nicely.