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San Francisco 49ers: 5 NFL Draft Rookies Who Will Start Right Away in 2017

By Peter Panacy

Apr 28, 2017; Santa Clara, CA, USA; (l to r) San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch , linebacker Reuben Foster , defensive lineman Soloman Thomas , and head coach Kyle Shanahan pose for photos during the press conference at Levi's Stadium Auditorium. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 28, 2017; Santa Clara, CA, USA; (l to r) San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch , linebacker Reuben Foster , defensive lineman Soloman Thomas , and head coach Kyle Shanahan pose for photos during the press conference at Levi's Stadium Auditorium. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 24, 2016; Eugene, OR, USA; Colorado Buffaloes defensive back Ahkello Witherspoon (23) intercepts the ball against Oregon Ducks wide receiver Darren Carrington II (7) at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 24, 2016; Eugene, OR, USA; Colorado Buffaloes defensive back Ahkello Witherspoon (23) intercepts the ball against Oregon Ducks wide receiver Darren Carrington II (7) at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 3: Cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon

The 49ers needed cornerbacks entering the NFL Draft, and they landed one in Colorado’s Ahkello Witherspoon.

San Francisco’s Round 3 pickup should be able to start right away opposite fellow corner Rashard Robinson.

Just ask Niners Wire’s Rob Lowder:

The Niners really don’t have any other viable option here. Cornerback Dontae Johnson has fallen out of favor and was a virtual non-factor a year ago. Keith Reaser hasn’t been an impact player, and there isn’t anyone left on the 49ers depth chart worthy of competing for a starting job here.

Witherspoon needs to add some aggression to his game, and it would be nice to see him improve his run-stopping abilities.

Still, Witherspoon has excellent speed and manages to stay locked in on receivers running relatively complex routes.

That should translate well into one-on-one coverage schemes, which the Niners will run.