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San Francisco 49ers: Identifying 10 cornerstone players for 2018

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 05: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers warms up prior to their game against the Arizona Cardinals at Levi's Stadium on November 5, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 05: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers warms up prior to their game against the Arizona Cardinals at Levi's Stadium on November 5, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – AUGUST 19: Ahkello Witherspoon #41 of the San Francisco 49ers stands on the sidelines during their game against the Denver Broncos at Levi’s Stadium on August 19, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – AUGUST 19: Ahkello Witherspoon #41 of the San Francisco 49ers stands on the sidelines during their game against the Denver Broncos at Levi’s Stadium on August 19, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

No. 9: Cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon

Despite a sluggish training camp and preseason, combined with being inactive the first four weeks of 2017, rookie cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon did enough to warrant the Niners moving on from former No. 1 corner Rashard Robinson — sent, via a trade, to the New York Jets just prior to the NFL trade deadline.

Witherspoon ended up taking over Robinson’s spot in Week 8 versus the Philadelphia Eagles and had a noteworthy performance, per Pro Football Focus:

"Witherspoon earned the third-highest cornerback grade of the week at 88.1, the top performance of his young career thus far. In coverage for 39 snaps, Witherspoon was targeted eight times only giving up three receptions. Outside of a 53-yard catch allowed to Alshon Jeffery, Witherspoon was sticky in coverage all day and surrendered just an additional 13 yards while picking off a pass."

While it might be nice to see the 49ers land a true lockdown cornerback via free agency or the NFL Draft this offseason, signs are pointing to Witherspoon at least being one of the two starters San Francisco employs next year.

Not bad for a third-round draftee heading into year two of his pro campaign.