49ers: San Francisco's 2017 NFL Draft report card

San Francisco 49ers: 2017 NFL Draft report card

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 /

Round 3, No. 66 Overall

Ahkello Witherspoon, CB Colorado — B

This pick fills one of the top needs for the team after cutting veteran cornerback Tramaine Brock, following his domestic violence charge, and moving Jimmie Ward to the safety position.

In Ahkello Weatherspoon, the Niners acquire a long and athletic corner, who has high upside, but is raw as a prospect because he only played one year of football in high school.

His size fits the bill for the NFL, standing 6-foot-3 with long 33-inch arms. He also ran a 4.45 40-yard dash at the combine, which enables him to match up well with faster receivers on the outside.

Witherspoon was slightly overshadowed in college by the other corner for the Buffaloes, Chidobe Awuzie, but the former projects better in the Niners new defensive scheme.

It’s a project at this point, and Witherspoon will need to improve his aggressiveness and tackling to be a complete corner. His athletic ability alone is promising enough to project him to be a quality starter in a year or two.