Niner Noise
FanSided

5 reasons to be worried about the 49ers in 2019

By Peter Panacy

KANSAS CITY, MO - SEPTEMBER 23: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers lays on his back on the sideline after being injured on the play during the fourth quarter of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on September 23rd, 2018 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO - SEPTEMBER 23: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers lays on his back on the sideline after being injured on the play during the fourth quarter of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on September 23rd, 2018 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Peter Aiken/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: Too Many Unanswered Questions in the Secondary

While Pro Football Focus ranked the 49ers offensive line in the middle of the pack last year, they ranked San Francisco’s secondary dead last in 2018.

The Niners’ biggest roster changes during the offseason? Signing oft-injured cornerback Jason Verrett to a one-year deal and selecting also-oft-injured former Virginia corner Tim Harris in Round 6 of the 2019 NFL Draft.

Safety Jimmie Ward is back, of course, yet he’s finished four of his first five pro seasons on injured reserve. Fellow safety Adrian Colbert regressed heavily in 2018, as did No. 2 cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon. How confident should the Niners be each of these players bounce back, let alone stay healthy?

Granted, San Francisco spent considerable effort revamping its pass rush during the offseason, which should take pressure off the defensive backfield and hopefully improve the lowly turnover numbers the 49ers had in 2018.

Yet that remains to be seen, and veteran cornerback Richard Sherman can’t shut down the entire portion of his side of the field forever.