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San Francisco 49ers: 3 worst-case scenarios for 2018

By Peter Panacy

CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 03: Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers is pushed out of bounds by Roy Robertson-Harris #95 of the Chicago Bears in the first quarter at Soldier Field on December 3, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 03: Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers is pushed out of bounds by Roy Robertson-Harris #95 of the Chicago Bears in the first quarter at Soldier Field on December 3, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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NASHVILLE, TN – SEPTEMBER 24: Cornerback Richard Sherman #25 of the Seattle Seahawks is held back by his team after committing a foul against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on September 24, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Shaban Athuman/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN – SEPTEMBER 24: Cornerback Richard Sherman #25 of the Seattle Seahawks is held back by his team after committing a foul against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on September 24, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Shaban Athuman/Getty Images) /

Cornerback Richard Sherman Regresses

Unlike Jerick McKinnon, veteran cornerback Richard Sherman has an impressive resume. Four Pro Bowl nods and three first-team All-Pro selections tell you everything you need to know.

Well, almost.

Sherman turned 30 years old this offseason. And while that’s not a major concern, per se, his 2017 Achilles injury could be. Granted, he looks ready for the upcoming season. But there’s evidence Sherman is beginning to start an inevitable decline, as shown by Better Rivals’ Oscar Aparicio:

Looking at that Pro Football Focus data even further, one can see how a possible decline is already happening:

Sherman PFF
Sherman PFF /

Even at an apparent declined rate, Sherman is still the best corner on San Francisco’s roster. But that probably says more about the team’s depth than anything else.

The Niners’ other two starting corners, Ahkello Witherspoon and K’Waun Williams, have their merits. But there’s not a lot of experienced depth behind them. Veteran defensive back Jimmie Ward is there, but he posted a PFF grade of 46.9 last season before being lost to a season-ending arm injury.

Simply put, the 49ers need a lot out of Sherman this season. Just as much as Sherman needs the Niners to bounce back from his injury-plagued 2017 campaign.

If it doesn’t go well, the secondary will struggle as a result.