Niner Noise
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San Francisco 49ers: Predicting 2018 starting lineup post Jimmy Garoppolo trade

By Peter Panacy

GLENDALE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 11: Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the New England Patriots on the sidelines during the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on September 11, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. The Patriots defeated the Cardinals 23-21. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 11: Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the New England Patriots on the sidelines during the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on September 11, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. The Patriots defeated the Cardinals 23-21. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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FOXBORO, MA – OCTOBER 22: Malcolm Butler #21 of the New England Patriots reacts as he warms up before a game against the Atlanta Falcons at Gillette Stadium on October 22, 2017 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
FOXBORO, MA – OCTOBER 22: Malcolm Butler #21 of the New England Patriots reacts as he warms up before a game against the Atlanta Falcons at Gillette Stadium on October 22, 2017 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /

Cornerback

Left Corner: Malcolm Butler (Patriots)

Right Corner: Ahkello Witherspoon

Nickel Corner: K’Waun Williams

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – AUGUST 27: Ahkello Witherspoon #41 of the San Francisco 49ers takes off from the line of scrimmage against the Minnesota Vikings in the preseason game on August 27, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defeated the 49ers 32-31. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – AUGUST 27: Ahkello Witherspoon #41 of the San Francisco 49ers takes off from the line of scrimmage against the Minnesota Vikings in the preseason game on August 27, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defeated the 49ers 32-31. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

Cornerback has been a major position of worry for the 49ers this season, as starting corners Dontae Johnson and Rashard Robinson have struggled mightily over the first half of 2017. Per Pro Football Focus, both are ranked Nos. 90 and 104, respectively, out of 114 qualifiers.

In Week 8, the Niners placed rookie cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon ahead of Robinson on the depth chart. Witherspoon is clearly a bigger part of San Francisco’s future plans, which likely led to Robinson’s trade to the New York Jets on Tuesday:

Upgrades are still needed, though, and here’s where the 49ers dip into the free-agent market, signing Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler.

Butler, 27 years old, is projected to make $14.3 million in 2018, according to Spotrac, but the Niners can afford to spend some money here to address this pressing need.

San Francisco might also want to explore options to upgrade the nickel spot, as K’Waun Williams is ranked the No. 112 corner by PFF. Since he’s signed through 2020, though, it might be a worry the Niners put off until a later time.