Top takeaways from Day 2 of 49ers’ 2019 OTA sessions
By Peter Panacy
Ahkello Witherspoon and Jimmie Ward in the Lead to Start?
It’s far too soon to begin accurate predictions of how depth charts pan out and who will start. And at cornerback and free safety, the 49ers figure to have another stiff competition for starting jobs.
Fifth-year pro defensive back Jimmie Ward could appear to be in line to start over his primary competition, Adrian Colbert, while third-year cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon is trying to assert himself amid other corners, Jason Verrett and Tarvarius Moore.
According to the Sacramento Bee’s Chris Biderman, both Ward and Witherspoon made good effort during day two of OTAs, which is a positive early sign for them securing starting jobs by Week 1:
Good showings from Deebo Samuel, Marquise Goodwin, Trent Taylor and Jordan Matthews. Ahkello Witherspoon and Jimmie Ward were aggressive in coverage. Rookie Dre Greenlaw was playing with the first team LBs as Fred Warner and Kwon Alexander sat out.
— Chris Biderman (@ChrisBiderman) May 21, 2019
Pro Football Focus ranked San Francisco’s secondary dead last in 2018, which doesn’t bode well after the team made relatively few personnel changes during the offseason. Verrett, a one-time Pro Bowler, has a lengthy injury history, so it’s likely he’ll also be brought along slowly between now and training camp.
That should give Witherspoon a good deal of first-team reps during practices, which certainly won’t hurt his chances to assert himself on the depth chart.