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San Francisco 49ers: 10 players who have a lot to prove in 2019

By Peter Panacy

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 31: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers looks to pass during the first half of a game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 31, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 31: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers looks to pass during the first half of a game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 31, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/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. 1: Cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon

Perhaps no other player on the 49ers roster suffered quite the criticism and letdown than cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon who, despite a solid rookie 2017 campaign, regressed aplenty his second season and finished as Pro Football Focus‘ 112th-graded corner out of 112 qualifiers.

Yes, that’s dead last, for you counting wizards.

In Witherspoon’s defense, he did show improvement late in the season before landing on injured reserve. But that didn’t change the fact he was San Francisco’s most penalized player with seven a year ago.

Perhaps the regression had a lot to do with the fact the Niners didn’t supply him with a lot of competition in training camp. That won’t be the case in 2019, as the 49ers brought aboard veteran corner Jason Verrett in free agency, while also grabbing Virginia’s Tim Harris in Round 6 of the NFL Draft.

Hopefully, both players’ presences should help Witherspoon add the much-needed polish to his game. And yet both Verrett and Harris have notable injury history, too, so make of that what you will.

Keep in mind, however, PFF also ranked San Francisco’s secondary dead last in the league last season. Witherspoon’s struggles played a big role in that ranking, meaning either he’ll bounce back adequately enough, or the Niners will be pressed into finding another long-term solution.

Next. 5 stats where the 49ers must show improvement in 2019. dark

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