Niner Noise
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49ers roster cuts: 5 biggest surprises to make the 2017 team

By Peter Panacy

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 24: Keith Reaser #27 of the San Francisco 49ers looks on during the game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 24, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 24: Keith Reaser #27 of the San Francisco 49ers looks on during the game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 24, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, AZ – NOVEMBER 13: Keith Reaser #27 of the San Francisco 49ers breaks up a pass intended for JJ Nelson #14 of the Arizona Cardinals during the second quarter at University of Phoenix Stadium on November 13, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – NOVEMBER 13: Keith Reaser #27 of the San Francisco 49ers breaks up a pass intended for JJ Nelson #14 of the Arizona Cardinals during the second quarter at University of Phoenix Stadium on November 13, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /

No. 1: Cornerback Keith Reaser

Perhaps this was the biggest surprise of the made-it players over the weekend.

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Cornerback Keith Reaser’s stock had fallen throughout training camp, and he was clearly losing the battle with fellow corner Dontae Johnson for San Francisco’s No. 2 corner position.

Oh, and that pass-interference penalty in the end zone against the Minnesota Vikings at the tail end of preseason Week 3 didn’t help matters either.

So, yes. It was a bit of a shock to see Reaser make the cut.

Here’s why it makes some sense, though. The Niners don’t exactly have a lot of proven depth at the position. No. 1 cornerback Rashard Robinson is entering only his second year and looked awfully rough during the preseason. And third-round draftee Ahkello Witherspoon has a long way to go before cracking the starting lineup.

And with slot-corner candidate Will Redmond placed on the waived/injured list, nickel back K’Waun Williams doesn’t have a backup.

Reaser can double at the nickel, which certainly increased his value and probably influenced the decision to keep him around.

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Yet it wouldn’t be a shock to see San Francisco comb the waiver wire for additional help in the secondary, meaning Reaser’s long-term prognosis could still be in doubt.