49ers’ 2018 ‘Who Is?’ series: Cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon

Niner Noise’s 2018 “Who Is?” series looks at promising second-year San Francisco 49ers cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon and his projected role with the team this season.

Early during the 2017 season, it looked as if the San Francisco 49ers were going to have to take more of a “wait and see” approach with then-rookie cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon.

After all, Witherspoon had something of a rough training camp, regularly overpowered by NFL-level offensive players, which eventually resulted in the third-round draftee being inactive the first four weeks of his rookie season.

But things started to pick up for Witherspoon halfway through the year. He managed a nice interception off Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz in Week 8, and his solid play led both to the Niners placing him in a starting role and trading off then-starting corner Rashard Robinson prior to the trade deadline.

Witherspoon started each game since, logging 28 tackles, two interceptions, a forced fumble and seven passes broken up.

Not bad for a rookie. Not bad at all.

Heading into year two of his pro career, Witherspoon now has the luxury of being tutored by three-time All-Pro cornerback Richard Sherman, who has worked with the former Colorado defensive back both at the 49ers facility and away from it.

The hope for the Niners is pretty clear. They want both Sherman and Witherspoon to emerge as the next shutdown tandem of corners within the NFC West, not unlike what Sherman and the Seattle Seahawks boasted some years ago.

Still, there’s going to be a lot of pressure on Witherspoon to live up to the improvements he flashed last season. And there’s a solid chance he gets even better in 2018.

Here’s how.