San Francisco 49ers: 3 players who must play bigger role in 2020
By Peter Panacy
No. 2: Cornerback Emmanuel Moseley
One could make the argument the 49ers need help at cornerback this offseason more than any other position on the roster.
Perhaps. After all, veteran corner Richard Sherman turns 32 years old soon, and he’s also entering a contract year. Opposite him, the Niners have some question marks between defensive backs Ahkello Witherspoon and Emmanuel Moseley.
Or do they?
Witherspoon, the team’s third-round NFL Draft pick from 2017, had an up-and-down campaign last year. While it’s premature to think San Francisco is ready to move on from him, Witherspoon being benched for Moseley at multiple points last season suggests the latter is the favorite to earn the starting nod in 2020.
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Yes, Moseley had that one gaffe in the fourth quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIV. Aside from that, though, there was a stark difference between Moseley and Witherspoon, at least according to Pro Football Focus, who awarded Moseley a 70.0 overall grade.
Witherspoon, meanwhile, received a 61.0 mark.
Unless Witherspoon goes off in training camp, or Moseley has a complete meltdown, it seems as if the latter winds up assuming the starting job opposite Sherman in 2020.
That’ll be an important role, to say the least.