49ers: Top 5 positional needs for San Francisco in 2019 offseason

San Francisco 49ers: Top 5 positional needs for 2019 offseason

SANTA CLARA, CA - SEPTEMBER 16: Marvin Jones #11 of the Detroit Lions catches a touchdown pass over Ahkello Witherspoon #23 of the San Francisco 49ers during the fourth quarter of their NFL football game at Levi's Stadium on September 16, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. The 49ers won the game 30-27. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

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San Francisco 49ers vs. Arizona Cardinals Week 5 position grades and analysis

San Francisco 49ers FS Adrian Colbert (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

No. 2: Cornerback

If you watched that previous clip, you’ll know Adrian Colbert wasn’t the only victim of the Cardinals’ Week 5 touchdown pass to wide receiver Christian Kirk. Also in the clip was second-year pro Ahkello Witherspoon, who lost his over-the-top containment.

OK, Witherspoon was likely banking on the help here. Yet that play is just one example of a number that have gone poorly for the young defensive back this season.

Which likely explains why Pro Football Focus assigned him a 42.9 overall grade through five weeks — ranked No. 107 out of 111 qualifiers.

Witherspoon is starting to draw comparisons to another 49ers once-hyped rookie, turned bust, Rashard Robinson, who looked excellent his rookie year but completely fell apart his second season.

The 49ers invested heavily in their defensive backfield this offseason, bringing in perennial Pro Bowler Richard Sherman in through free agency and tabbing defensive back Tarvarius Moore in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft.

But Sherman isn’t going to be the long-term answer, and Moore has been little more than a non-factor during the regular season so far.

Yeah, a top-flight corner might be atop the Niners’ wish list heading into 2019.