Niner Noise
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49ers stock report heading into final 2017 contest versus the Rams

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 24: Trent Taylor #81 of the San Francisco 49ers catches a touchdown pass in front of Tashaun Gipson #39 of the Jacksonville Jaguars during their NFL football game at Levi's Stadium on December 24, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 24: Trent Taylor #81 of the San Francisco 49ers catches a touchdown pass in front of Tashaun Gipson #39 of the Jacksonville Jaguars during their NFL football game at Levi's Stadium on December 24, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – DECEMBER 24: Ahkello Witherspoon #23 of the San Francisco 49ers breaks up the pass to Dede Westbrook #12 of the Jacksonville Jaguars during their NFL football game at Levi’s Stadium on December 24, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – DECEMBER 24: Ahkello Witherspoon #23 of the San Francisco 49ers breaks up the pass to Dede Westbrook #12 of the Jacksonville Jaguars during their NFL football game at Levi’s Stadium on December 24, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

Cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon

The 49ers have one of their two starting cornerback positions set.

Rookie Ahkello Witherspoon’s maturation continues to be fun to watch. After a sluggish start in training camp and being regularly inactive earlier this season, Witherspoon has developed into a solid shutdown corner in recent weeks.

And he made Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles’ life hell in Week 16, at least according to Pro Football Focus (h/t The Athletic’s David Lombardi):

Witherspoon logged three tackles, two passes defended and an interception. That pick, while a terrible throw from Bortles and, possibly, some miscommunication with his receivers, saw Witherspoon in perfect position to take advantage of the turnover:

Unlike the guy he replaced, former 49ers corner Rashard Robinson, Witherspoon is getting stronger as his rookie season moves along.

He’s a solid part of the future, no doubt.

Stock: Up