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49ers 2017 NFL Draft Recap: Best and Worst San Francisco Picks

By Nicholas McGee

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 /

Highest Upside

Ahkello Witherspoon [CB] Colorado

The 49ers lost a starting corner when they were forced to release Tramaine Brock, but third-round pick Witherspoon has the potential to lock down a spot on the outside for years to come.

More physical wide receivers may be able to have their way with Witherspoon early in his career, but his length and athleticism are extremely intriguing.

Standing at 6’3″ and having impressed at the Combine with a 4.45 40-yard dash and a 40.5 inch vertical jump, Witherspoon’s size and athletic abilities translate very well on the football field.

He restricts throwing windows with his length and is able to go up and compete for the ball at the catch point, registering 19 pass deflections in 2016.

Witherspoon does not rush to open his hips in press but can transition extremely quickly and turn upfield and stay in good trail position, while demonstrating the change-of-direction ability to stay with shiftier receivers at the top of routes, as evidenced by his impressive performance against John Ross.

Too many missed tackles and a lack of on-ball production — just three picks in his collegiate career — will be concerns, and he must combine his athletic tools with aggression and physicality at the next level.

But, if he does that, Witherspoon — who allowed a completion percentage of just 26.5 in 2016 — has the upside to become a top-tier starting corner.