Niner Noise
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49ers 2019 training camp: 10 things to watch during opening weekend

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CA - JULY 30: Ronald Johnson #88 and Chris Culliver #29 of the San Francisco 49ers go up against each other in a 7 on 7 drill during practice at the San Francisco 49ers training facility on July 30, 2011 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - JULY 30: Ronald Johnson #88 and Chris Culliver #29 of the San Francisco 49ers go up against each other in a 7 on 7 drill during practice at the San Francisco 49ers training facility on July 30, 2011 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/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) /

No. 2: The No. 2 Cornerback Battle

Last season, cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon was targeted by opposing quarterbacks 68 times — the most out of any Niners defensive back and second only to linebacker Fred Warner (69), according to Pro Football Focus.

Opponents were shying away from going after the veteran, Richard Sherman, and Witherspoon didn’t exactly respond to the increased pressure in the best of ways.

Witherspoon went on to lead the 49ers in accepted penalties against (seven) and was PFF’s lowest-graded corner out of 112 qualifiers.

Yikes!

San Francisco didn’t make a lot of moves to address this apparent shortcoming this offseason, outside of signing oft-injured corner Jason Verrett to a one-year deal. And it appears as if Witherspoon will have to battle it out with the one-time Pro Bowler for the rights to start opposite Sherman.

There’s good news, however, as Witherspoon looks like he turned a page during OTAs, at least according to The Athletic’s Matt Barrows.

Let’s hope those efforts carry over into training camp right away. Even if Witherspoon loses out to Verrett for the No. 2 cornerback spot, the Niners should take comfort in the former’s maturation process.