Niner Noise
FanSided

49ers 2019 training camp: 5 biggest standouts from opening weekend

By Aaron Tan

SANTA CLARA, CA - JULY 29: The San Francisco 49ers run their drills on the practice field during training camp at the 49ers practice facilities on July 29, 2003 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - JULY 29: The San Francisco 49ers run their drills on the practice field during training camp at the 49ers practice facilities on July 29, 2003 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images) /
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San Francisco 49ers Ahkello Witherspoon
SANTA CLARA, CA – NOVEMBER 26: Ahkello Witherspoon #23 of the San Francisco 49ers breaks up the pass to Tyler Lockett #16 of the Seattle Seahawks during their NFL football game at Levis Stadium on November 26, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

No. 3: Cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon

After the 49ers signed former Pro Bowl cornerback Jason Verrett in free agency, people were quick to write off third-year cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon, which is reasonable considering Witherspoon had an inconsistent and ultimately disappointing sophomore season at the pro level.

However, Witherspoon is here at training camp trying to prove he’s here to stay, perfectly jumping the route on the 49ers’ best route runner, Dante Pettis, and snagging an interception off of Jimmy Garoppolo:

https://twitter.com/49ers/status/1155560147856478208

I actually think Witherspoon has a chance to start opposite Richard Sherman in Week 1, since the 49ers will be facing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a team whose primary receiver is the 6-foot-5 Mike Evans. On paper, the 6-foot-3 Witherspoon is the better matchup for Evans than the 5-foot-10 Verrett.

It’s up to Witherspoon in these next six weeks to play his way into that starting role.