Niner Noise
FanSided

49ers’ top-10 most impactful team members of the 2017 season

By Jonah Burros

Sep 12, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers right cornerback Jimmie Ward (25) and cornerback Rashard Robinson (33) and other players celebrate after an interception against the Los Angeles Rams in the second quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 12, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers right cornerback Jimmie Ward (25) and cornerback Rashard Robinson (33) and other players celebrate after an interception against the Los Angeles Rams in the second quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 20, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; San Francisco 49ers cornerback Rashard Robinson (33) in the fourth quarter against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 20, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; San Francisco 49ers cornerback Rashard Robinson (33) in the fourth quarter against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 7

CB Rashard Robinson

Cornerback Rashard Robinson played his rookie season last year with a lot of speculation and doubt, coming from the media and fans, due to his perceived off-the-field issues and suspensions in college.

Former 49ers general manager Trent Baalke made a statement by selecting him in Round 4, and it proved to be one of the ousted GM’s best draft steals of his career in San Francisco.

Robinson was considered to be a major gamble, lanky, inexperienced and underweight coming out of college. His rookie campaign proved that the young corner could not only play at the NFL level, but he all but solidified the No. 1 spot with his play for this year.

He showed he was a formidable press-man corner and steadily improved as the year went on. The 4-3 under scheme needs these particular traits in spades with a more isolated secondary. And if Robinson can steadily cover the best opposing receiver, than he could turn the tide of the entire defensive struggles of late.

It is hard to place him above the likes of DeForest Buckner. But on a solitary level, Robinson alone could do more to impact the outcome of games with superior play.

Robinson could prove to be a shutdown corner if he continues to improve as he has been and we all know how truly rare those are.