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2017 NFL Draft: San Francisco 49ers’ Cornerback Big Board

By Akash Anavarathan

Apr 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; A general view of football fans in the stands during the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at Auditorium Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Anderson-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; A general view of football fans in the stands during the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at Auditorium Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Anderson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 15, 2016; Boulder, CO, USA; Colorado Buffaloes defensive back Ahkello Witherspoon (23) during the fourth quarter against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Folsom Field. The Buffaloes defeated the Sun Devils 40-16. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 15, 2016; Boulder, CO, USA; Colorado Buffaloes defensive back Ahkello Witherspoon (23) during the fourth quarter against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Folsom Field. The Buffaloes defeated the Sun Devils 40-16. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 10: Ahkello Witherspoon, Colorado

Coming in at No. 10 on the 49ers’ cornerback big board is Colorado’s Ahkello Witherspoon. Recently on Niner Noise, I discussed how Witherspoon could be a day two option for the 49ers.

Witherspoon is a 6-foot-3 corner, who has 33-inch arms and a 4.45 second 40-yard dash. He’d be the ideal fit to be an outside cornerback in DC Robert Saleh’s new single-high scheme.

The ex-Colorado corner comes in with 19 passes defensed this past season, but only managed three interceptions the past two seasons.

Per Pro Football Focus, Witherspoon allowed the fifth-lowest completion rate for opposing quarterbacks at 31.8 percent.

He’s been a solid tackler, only missing eight during the entire 2016 season. He also only gave up 28 catches all season long on 88 targets.

Witherspoon has the ideal size and physical tools to be a productive corner in the NFL. He’s still a bit raw, hence why he’s No. 10 on the 49ers’ big board.