San Francisco 49ers: Predicting 3 players who break out in 2020
By Peter Panacy
No. 3: Cornerback Emmanuel Moseley
Granted, nine starts isn’t enough to suggest a potential superstar in the making. But the former undrafted free agent, cornerback Emmanuel Moseley, showcased enough flash over his nine starts last season to prompt the idea he could be a long-term starter.
Yes, Moseley was primarily responsible for the fourth-quarter defensive breakdown, which allowed Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes to hit wide receiver Tyreek Hill for that 44-yard completion, which ultimately led to K.C.’s Super Bowl win. But looking beyond that one play, it’s not hard to see why Moseley has a lot of promise.
For example, Pro Football Focus ranked Moseley the No. 30 overall corner out of 112 qualifiers last year, surely influenced by his eight pass breakups, some of which came within the red zone.
That’s not too shabby for someone who wasn’t highly touted his rookie season or entering 2019.
This season, Moseley’s primary pre-draft competition for the No. 2 starting job alongside the veteran, Richard Sherman, will be fourth-year pro Ahkello Witherspoon.
Witherspoon started off 2019 strong, yes. But a foot injury, followed by successive on-field gaffes, ultimately led to Moseley getting the lion’s share of starting duties.
The fact the 49ers were comfortable starting Moseley in the playoffs says something, too.
At any rate, Moseley could turn the proverbial page this season and prove to the rest of the NFL world he’s more than just a starting-caliber corner.