Niner Noise
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San Francisco 49ers: 5 lineup predictions over the remainder of 2018

By Peter Panacy

CARSON, CA - SEPTEMBER 30: Cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon #23 and defensive back Antone Exum #38 of the San Francisco 49ers can't stop running back Melvin Gordon #28 of the Los Angeles Chargers as he rushes into the end zone for a touchdown in the third quarter of the game at StubHub Center on September 30, 2018 in Carson, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
CARSON, CA - SEPTEMBER 30: Cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon #23 and defensive back Antone Exum #38 of the San Francisco 49ers can't stop running back Melvin Gordon #28 of the Los Angeles Chargers as he rushes into the end zone for a touchdown in the third quarter of the game at StubHub Center on September 30, 2018 in Carson, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – NOVEMBER 12: Ahkello Witherspoon #23 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts to a call during their NFL game against the New York Giants at Levi’s Stadium on November 12, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – NOVEMBER 12: Ahkello Witherspoon #23 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts to a call during their NFL game against the New York Giants at Levi’s Stadium on November 12, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

No. 3: Ahkello Witherspoon Continues to Start… for Now

Like Reuben Foster, second-year cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon has shown some awful regression in 2018. Unlike Foster, however, Witherspoon can’t exactly peg the issues on injuries.

San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers /

San Francisco 49ers

After a problematic first few weeks of the season, Witherspoon started to show some poise up until his Week 10 performance against New York, namely displaying some visible frustrations after allowing a passing touchdown to Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. That earned some criticism from both Kyle Shanahan and fellow cornerback Richard Sherman.

Witherspoon can still be a major part of the 49ers’ rebuild. And it’s not uncommon to see rookie and second-year defensive backs either struggle early or go through some sort of slump after making good early impressions.

That said, Witherspoon could easily be on a short leash. The Niners invested another third-round pick in speedy defensive back Tarvarius Moore. And while Moore hasn’t seen a lot of time at boundary corner — he is transitioning from safety to cornerback — there are signs a switch could be coming in anytime now.

Bad news for Witherspoon if it happens.

For now, Witherspoon holds onto his starting job. It could stay that way for the rest of the year too, although Moore is gaining in the competition.