San Francisco 49ers: Ranking the 10 most important players in 2018
By Aaron Tan
No. 3: Cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon
The turnaround rookie cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon had in his first season in the league might be the most amazing I’ve ever witnessed.
After being selected in the third round of the draft, numerous videos and reports emerged out of rookie minicamp and training camp of Witherspoon showing his knack of getting burnt by opposing receivers. And these weren’t even starting receivers. These were practice squad receivers merely fighting for a job in the league.
Witherspoon didn’t play a single snap until Week 5 against the Indianapolis Colts, and didn’t start until Week 8 against the Philadelphia Eagles. And that’s when he broke out. He earned Pro Football Focus’ third-highest cornerback rating of the week despite allowing a long touchdown to wide receiver Alshon Jeffery.
And Witherspoon never looked back.
Witherspoon continued to enjoy success for the remainder of the season, playing shutdown coverage on opposing No. 1 receivers, proving his worth as a solid cornerback for years to come.
Teams threw all over the 49ers’ No. 2 cornerback last year, Dontae Johnson. Since the team will likely find a true No. 1 corner in the offseason, Witherspoon will slide into that No. 2 corner spot and make a big impact on the secondary unit. No more will teams be able to throw for 300-plus yards every game against this defense.