San Francisco 49ers: 5 second-year players with the most to prove in 2017
By Peter Panacy
No. 3: Cornerback Rashard Robinson
One might think cornerback Rashard Robinson shouldn’t be on a list for 49ers players with the most to prove.
But there’s a good reason he’s here.
The Niners don’t have any other option, realistically, to place in the No. 1 cornerback spot. That means Robinson is now the team’s best cornerback.
It’s not a bad move in of itself. For starters, Robinson was one of the better storylines from an otherwise forgettable San Francisco season last year, according to Pro Football Focus. And additional reports, from the Santa Rosa Press Democrat’s Grant Cohn, told of Robinson being a very effective corner at OTAs.
Still, Robinson will have to prove he belongs as the team’s top cornerback.
San Francisco will feature a lot of one-on-one corner matchups in Cover 3 schemes this year. There won’t be room for error, as corners will rarely have over-the-top help.
Robinson will have to prove why he’s equal to the task.
If it works, there’s one less worry to be concerned with heading into 2018. If not, the Niners will be searching for yet more defensive backs just under a year from now.