Niner Noise
FanSided

Biggest 49ers winners and losers from the 2019 NFL Draft

By Peter Panacy

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 28: NFL Commissoner Roger Goodell greets Aldon Smith, #7 overall pick by the San Francisco 49ers, during the 2011 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall on April 28, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 28: NFL Commissoner Roger Goodell greets Aldon Smith, #7 overall pick by the San Francisco 49ers, during the 2011 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall on April 28, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – AUGUST 19: Ahkello Witherspoon #41 of the San Francisco 49ers stands on the sidelines during their game against the Denver Broncos at Levi’s Stadium on August 19, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – AUGUST 19: Ahkello Witherspoon #41 of the San Francisco 49ers stands on the sidelines during their game against the Denver Broncos at Levi’s Stadium on August 19, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

Winner: Cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon

Yes, the 49ers did add a cornerback to the mix, selecting Tim Harris at No. 198 overall.

But the oft-injured Harris likely doesn’t figure to be competing for starting-boundary duties right out of the gate, which is about the best kind of news for third-year cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon.

More from SF 49ers Draft

Keep in mind, Pro Football Focus ranked Witherspoon the league’s worst corner out of 112 qualifiers.

Despite his notable regression in 2018, Witherspoon gets another solid chance to reclaim his starting job in 2019.

As was the case with free safety, the Niners could have added a starting-caliber cornerback early in the NFL Draft. And while Witherspoon will still have to contend with fellow corners Jason Verrett and Tarvarius Moore during training camp, the chances San Francisco’s third-round pick from 2017 to secure a starting job in 2019 look a lot better after the Niners delayed adding a cornerback until Round 6.