49ers’ 2019 53-man roster predictions before training camp
By Peter Panacy
Cornerback (6)
Left Corner: Richard Sherman, Tim Harris
Right Corner: Jason Verrett, Ahkello Witherspoon
Nickel: K’Waun Williams, D.J. Reed
There shouldn’t be too many surprises at cornerback entering 2019, and essentially only one spot looks to be up for grabs.
That would be the No. 6 corner on the depth chart, and it’s something of a tossup between Greg Mabin and the rookie, Tim Harris.
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Harris gets the nod here, as the 49ers attempt to make the switch by “moving on from the old and implementing the new.” But Harris missed a good chunk of time during OTAs and minicamp with injury, so his spot is anything but guaranteed.
Veteran cornerback Richard Sherman has a spot locked down, of course, but the player starting opposite him is a bit of a question mark. When healthy, recently acquired corner Jason Verrett can be exceptional, as his 2015 Pro Bowl nod suggests. But Verrett has appeared in just five regular-season games dating back to the start of 2016.
So it’s a good thing third-year pro Ahkello Witherspoon made some notable strides in OTAs, putting himself in a position to bounce back from what was a forgettable season in 2018.
At nickel cornerback, then-rookie D.J. Reed had some solid moments in a reserve role. He’ll likely back up the veteran, K’Waun Williams, to start the year. But at least Reed is providing some suggestion of being a long-term replacement for his counterpart.