Niner Noise
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San Francisco 49ers: Ranking the top 25 players for 2018

By Chris Wilson

SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 20: DeForest Buckner #99 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after he sacked Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots at Levi's Stadium on November 20, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 20: DeForest Buckner #99 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after he sacked Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots at Levi's Stadium on November 20, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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San Francisco 49ers Ahkello Witherspoon
SANTA CLARA, CA – NOVEMBER 26: Ahkello Witherspoon #23 of the San Francisco 49ers breaks up the pass to Tyler Lockett #16 of the Seattle Seahawks during their NFL football game at Levis Stadium on November 26, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

11. CB Ahkello Witherspoon

The San Francisco 49ers entered the 2017 preseason with one unquestioned starting outside cornerback in Rashard Robinson, and a competition for the No. 2 corner spot, which was eventually won by veteran Dontae Johnson.

By the midway point of the 2017 season, Robinson was traded, and opposing quarterbacks were targeting Johnson while shying away from the 49ers’ new No. 1 cornerback, rookie Ahkello Witherspoon.

This offseason, San Francisco parted ways with Johnson, and added top cornerback — and former 49ers enemy — Richard Sherman. Provided Sherman recovers fully from last year’s injury, Witherspoon will be the cornerback for opposing quarterbacks to target this season. If the second-year player is up for the challenge, the 49ers’ secondary could be one of the league’s better units in 2018.