San Francisco 49ers: Starting lineup predictions as training camp starts
By Peter Panacy
Cornerback
No. 1 Corner: Rashard Robinson
No. 2 Corner: Keith Reaser
Slot Corner: K’Waun Williams
Rashard Robinson will be the 49ers’ No. 1 cornerback at the start of the season. There isn’t much of a question there.
But the No. 2 and nickel duties are a different question.
Starting alongside Robinson will likely fall upon either cornerbacks Keith Reaser or Dontae Johnson. Neither has truly lived up to the expectation level since being drafted in 2014. But Reaser’s stock has seemingly risen this offseason, while Johnson’s future with the team may be in doubt.
Both players are, essentially, competing for one spot.
Over the slot, the Niners are mostly looking at corners K’Waun Williams and Will Redmond.
Williams was one of John Lynch’s first free-agent pickups this offseason. And even though Williams missed all of 2016 with an injury, his efforts the previous two years certainly make him a worthy candidate, at least according to Pro Football Focus’ Jeff Deeney:
In his first two seasons (2014-15) K'Waun Williams allowed a solid 57% catch rate and 9.3 yards per catch when lined up in the slot. #49ers
— Jeff Deeney (@PFF_Jeff) February 22, 2017
Redmond, on the other hand, is a holdover of former general manager Trent Baalke. Another one of the infamous “All-ACL” picks, Redmond has to overcome missing his rookie year last season and earn a starting job.
Like the No. 2 corner spot, Redmond and Williams are basically competing for one roster spot.
Williams probably winds up getting the nod here.