Niner Noise
FanSided

San Francisco 49ers: 5 worst players in 2018 through Week 7

By Peter Panacy

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)
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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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – AUGUST 25: T.Y. Hilton #13 of the Indianapolis Colts drops a pass while defended by Ahkello Witherspoon #23 of the San Francisco 49ers in the first quarter of a preseason game at Lucas Oil Stadium on August 25, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – AUGUST 25: T.Y. Hilton #13 of the Indianapolis Colts drops a pass while defended by Ahkello Witherspoon #23 of the San Francisco 49ers in the first quarter of a preseason game at Lucas Oil Stadium on August 25, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

No. 2: Cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon

He might not be the 49ers’ worst player on this list through seven weeks. But second-year cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon may wind up being the poster player for all the team’s defensive woes in 2018.

It’s not hard to understand why.

After such a surprising ascent his rookie season, Witherspoon has regressed sharply after being asked to task the No. 2 cornerbacking gig opposite the veteran, Richard Sherman. And by doing so, he went from clear-cut starter, to a rotational player and all the way to being benched in Week 6.

During that stretch, Witherspoon allowed five touchdowns and opposing quarterbacks to toss for a passer rating of 122.3 when targeting him, according to Pro Football Focus.

And his 45.0 overall PFF mark ranks him No. 108 out of 112 qualifying corners on the year.

Witherspoon’s positive impacts haven’t really been felt. He has two pass breakups this season, 19 tackles and zero interceptions.

Well, no one on the Niners is intercepting anything or forcing turnovers anyway.