Niner Noise
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San Francisco 49ers: Predicting the future at cornerback in 2018

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 12: Ahkello Witherspoon #23 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after defending a pass against the New York Giants during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on November 12, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 12: Ahkello Witherspoon #23 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after defending a pass against the New York Giants during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on November 12, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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SEATTLE, WA – SEPTEMBER 17: Wide receiver Tanner McEvoy #19 of the Seattle Seahawks can’t bring in a pass against cornerback K’Waun Williams #24 and safety Jaquiski Tartt #29 of the San Francisco 49ers in the first quarter during the game at CenturyLink Field on September 17, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr /Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA – SEPTEMBER 17: Wide receiver Tanner McEvoy #19 of the Seattle Seahawks can’t bring in a pass against cornerback K’Waun Williams #24 and safety Jaquiski Tartt #29 of the San Francisco 49ers in the first quarter during the game at CenturyLink Field on September 17, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr /Getty Images) /

Cornerbacks on the 49ers Roster

To be fair, Ahkello Witherspoon’s play in Week 8 versus the Philadelphia Eagles was good enough to convince the 49ers brass to part ways with Rashard Robinson:

That’s good, and Witherspoon’s hopeful continued development should alleviate some concerns about positional shortages here.

The only problem, though, is San Francisco doesn’t exactly have top-level talent in support of Witherspoon. And it might be a bit premature to assume he winds up being a No. 1 talent.

San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers /

San Francisco 49ers

Here’s who the 49ers have on their current roster at this position:

  • Antone Exum Jr.
  • Leon Hall
  • Prince Charles Iworah (injured reserve)
  • Asa Jackson (injured reserve)
  • Dontae Johnson
  • Greg Mabin
  • Ahkello Witherspoon
  • K’Waun Williams

Defensive backs Antone Exum Jr., Leon Hall and Greg Mabin were primarily fill-in options off the free-agent pile to account for the numerous injuries San Francisco has this season. It’s hard to imagine any of them fitting into the team’s long-term rebuild.

Assuming Witherspoon is capable of locking down a No. 1 spot at this position, are the Niners comfortable with Dontae Johnson at No. 2 and K’Waun Williams at nickel?

They shouldn’t be.