5 under-radar 49ers players to watch over final three regular-season games
By Peter Panacy
No. 2: Cornerback Emmanuel Moseley
When No. 2 cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon suffered a sprained foot earlier this season, many a 49ers fan was worried the team’s depth behind Richard Sherman would suffer for it.
Yet Sherman wasn’t worried about fill-in cornerback Emmanuel Moseley, who quickly asserted himself well into Witherspoon’s stead, even creating something of a midseason depth-chart battle for Witherspoon to overcome.
Now, it’s Sherman who finds himself on the sidelines for a while, and Moseley will have to fill these shoes.
To date, Pro Football Focus has awarded the second-year pro a very solid 73.6 grade. Aside from a coverage gaffe in Week 14 against the New Orleans Saints, Moseley has been about as reliable and productive as possible, surely exceeding expectations.
But Moseley will be tested down the stretch. In Week 15, Moseley will have a task at hand against Atlanta Falcons perennial Pro Bowl receiver Julio Jones, while the Rams will run out wide receivers Brandin Cooks, Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods in Week 16.
Then those Seahawks the following week, who will feature the speedy wideout, Tyler Lockett, and an overly physical D.K. Metcalf. It’s hard to overlook veteran wide receiver Josh Gordon, too.
Until Sherman gets healthy and returns, Moseley will be asked to fill a massive void.