49ers player stocks soaring after Week 4 of 2019 season

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TAMPA, FLORIDA – SEPTEMBER 08: Richard Sherman #25 of the San Francisco 49ers praises Ahkello Witherspoon #23 after Witherspoon scored on an interception thrown by Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the fourth quarter of a game at Raymond James Stadium on September 08, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /

Stock up: CB Akhello Witherspoon

Through these first three weeks, the 49ers’ best cornerback has been Ahkello Witherspoon. Witherspoon came on during his rookie year significantly struggled, as did much of the Niners’ secondary last year. The 49ers even brought in free-agent corner Jason Verrett to force Witherspoon to be ready.

But Witherspoon accepted the challenge. He has allowed a passer rating of only 9.8 when targeted per Forbes, had a game-sealing pick-six, and forced Mason Rudolph to almost ignore his half the field in Week 3. His stock was certainly red hot.

However, Witherspoon then suffered a foot sprain that will sideline him for at least a month. The issue with Witherspoon’s injury isn’t his physical recovery as much as it is his mental state. He was in a groove and a really good place, and an unfortunate injury can end that feeling in an instant.

WItherspoon has yet to deal with a significant injury, so we don’t know how he’ll respond. The cornerback’s stock would probably be holding steady, but he’s been too good in 2019 to discount.