No. 2: Cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon
Yes, unfortunately, cornerback has been something of a concern for the 49ers this training camp. There’s Richard Sherman’s injury, another to nickel corner K’Waun Williams and the hamstring issue Jimmie Ward is dealing with.
Second-year corner Ahkello Witherspoon has been healthy, however, which is good. Especially because he’s slated to assume a starting outside role next to Sherman this season.
But after flashing a lot of promise his rookie 2017 season, Witherspoon’s camp has been anything but exemplary.
There have been more than a handful of times Witherspoon has been burned, both in one-on-one drills and full 11-of-11 practices. Like this time against depth receiver Victor Bolden, courtesy of Niners Wire’s Rob Lowder:
#49ersCamp 1-on-1s: Victor Bolden Jr. puts a double move on Ahkello Witherspoon. #49ers pic.twitter.com/upDbXkyjWa
— Rob Lowder (@Rob_Lowder) July 28, 2018
Or this full team drill while covering Marquise Goodwin, where Witherspoon doesn’t manage to get his head around and track the ball en route to the would-be reception:
Nice grab by Goodwin, though.
Granted, Witherspoon has had a few bounce-back performances later in camp, which is a good sign. And both the one-on-one and 11-on-11 drills have to be taken with a grain of salt, particularly because the Niners defensive backs aren’t jamming receivers yet and, in the case of the individual drills, there’s zero pass rush or help over the top.
Still, Witherspoon is expected to hold a significant role this upcoming season and he hasn’t exactly shown the prowess worthy of being a No. 1 corner at the NFL level.
It’s nowhere near panic time, rather just a concern.