2017 NFL Draft: San Francisco 49ers Picks, Grades and Analysis
Round 3, Pick 2
Player: [CB] Ahkello Witherspoon, Colorado
Height/Weight: 6’3″ and 198 pounds
The 49ers traded the second of their two third-round selections, but they used the first to address a glaring need at the cornerback position by taking Ahkello Witherspoon from Colorado.
After being forced to release starting corner Tramaine Brock, the Niners have a hole in the depth chart at the position.
And Witherspoon can compete to start right away, boasting the length and athleticism to hold up on the outside in man and press coverage.
Witherspoon allowed just 26.5 percent of passes thrown his way to be completed in 2016 and he fits the mould of the lengthy corners that are in demand in the modern day NFL.
San Francisco is used to going up against Richard Sherman when they face the Seahawks, now the 49ers have a corner of a similar mould.
Strengths
Witherspoon boasts a mouth-watering combination of length and athleticism, with his lanky frame allowing him to restrict throwing windows to hugely impressive effect.
He is disruptive at the catch point and had 19 pass deflections in 2016. Witherspoon shows patience in press coverage and has the quickness to turn upfield with ease.
Possessing very good long speed to maintain trail position and did an excellent job against John Ross in the Pac-12 title game.
Of all the impressive Colorado secondary players, Witherspoon is the most intriguing and he has all the tools to develop into a lockdown corner on the outside at the next level.
Weaknesses
The main knock on Witherspoon surrounds a lack of physicality, while a low interception total may also be of concern.
Indeed, Witherspoon had just one pick last season and three in his collegiate career with the Buffaloes.
If he is to be a success at the next level, Witherspoon must improve his play in run support, with far too many missed tackles showing up at the next level.
Why he fits
Witherspoon is the prototypical corner for the Seattle-style 4-3 defense the 49ers are going to run under Robert Saleh.
His length and athletic ability makes him an ideal fit as a press corner, and if he can become more consistent and improve his physicality and run support then Witherspoon could be a steal at this spot in the draft.
Grade: A