49ers’ 2018 ‘Who Is?’ series: Cornerback C.J. Goodwin
By Peter Panacy
Niner Noise looks at a new addition to the San Francisco 49ers in 2018, cornerback C.J. Goodwin, and his projected impact in our latest “Who Is?” edition this offseason.
Cornerback was a problem area for the San Francisco 49ers in 2017.
Outside of then-rookie corner Ahkello Witherspoon and, to a lesser extent, nickel corner K’Waun Williams, the Niners cornerbacks weren’t particularly effective last season. Depth was tested, and the lack of impact players forced the Niners to explore plenty of options this offseason.
The answer? Stockpile a ton of defensive backs in free agency and the NFL Draft.
One of those additions was grabbing four-year pro C.J. Goodwin as a free agent this offseason.
Goodwin, initially an undrafted free agent of the Pittsburgh Steelers back in 2014, has spent his NFL career with four different teams before joining the Niners this offseason, including a brief stint with the New York Giants earlier this year:
Provided by Pro-Football-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 5/25/2018.
At 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds, Goodwin looks to be the part of a big-bodied defensive back capable of locking down many of the bigger wide receivers he faces at the NFL level.
But why so many teams? How has he not found a long-term employer?
Let’s break down what to expect out of Goodwin this season and see whether or not he makes the cut this September.
Why C.J. Goodwin Will Improve in 2018
2017 wasn’t particularly kind to Goodwin, who split his time between the Atlanta Falcons and Arizona Cardinals.
Over the course of 71 snaps last year, Pro Football Focus awarded the defensive back a lowly 39.6 overall grade. That’s pretty paltry, but one also has to look at the 70.4 overall grade he had back in 2016 over 16 games played.
Keep in mind, that’s when Niners head coach Kyle Shanahan was Atlanta’s offensive coordinator. He saw Goodwin firsthand and knows his strengths. Plus, Falcons head coach Dan Quinn operates a defensive scheme not totally unlike what coordinator Robert Saleh has going in San Francisco.
Both Quinn and Saleh are from the Seattle Seahawks’ defensive coaching tree, by the way.
It’s possible Goodwin is able to rediscover that 2016 form under this scheme this offseason, pushing his way towards being a roster addition.
Why He’ll Regress
One good season, two years ago, doesn’t exactly justify a roster spot in this “what have you done for me lately” league.
The fact Goodwin bounces around a bit is concerning, especially considering he’s still just 28 years old. And the Falcons, who didn’t change their defensive scheme much at all in 2017, didn’t see a reason for keeping him.
San Francisco 49ers
Plus, the Niners stockpiled the position this offseason, namely adding veteran corner Richard Sherman and drafting another big-bodied defensive back, Tarvarius Moore, in Round 3 of the draft.
These, and other moves, likely push Goodwin down onto the second- and third-string units in training camp, where he won’t be getting nearly as many opportunities and looks from the coaching staff.
Chances of Making the 49ers’ 53-Man Roster in 2018
Right now, they’re pretty slim.
It makes sense why the 49ers brought Goodwin aboard this offseason. He offers both depth and a big-bodied presence already familiar with the kind of scheme the Niners operate. There shouldn’t be too much of a learning curve here.
Yet one of the smaller-but-notable camp competitions to watch this year will be between Goodwin and 2018 UDFA pickup, Tarvarus McFadden, who’ll also be gunning for one of the deeper spots on the cornerback depth chart.
Goodwin should push McFadden, which is great for all parties involved. The latter, however, has far greater an upside than Goodwin, though.
Next: Ranking each 49ers position by strength in 2018
Long are the odds Goodwin makes the 53-man roster. Perhaps he impresses and earns a spot, but we shouldn’t count on it.