49ers biggest winners, losers from 2020 NFL Draft

Winner: Cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon

One of the pressing areas the 49ers chose not to address in the NFL Draft was the secondary, which was probably the biggest surprise, considering a number of defensive backs on the roster are heading towards free agency in 2021.

One of those is fourth-year cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon, who lost his starting job multiple times to fellow corner Emmanuel Moseley last year and into the playoffs.

Witherspoon is going to be under a microscope this upcoming season, yes. Especially with Moseley seemingly favored to earn the starting job alongside the veteran, Richard Sherman. But that would haven’t been the case if the Niners brought in another cornerback during the draft, especially early in with one of their two first-round picks.

Had San Francisco drafted, let’s say Florida’s C.J. Henderson or Clemson’s A.J. Terrell, either player likely would have pushed Witherspoon down the depth chart, costing him those crucial first- and second-team looks during offseason workouts and into training camp.

While Witherspoon’s long-term future with the team remain up in the air, at least he’ll have a much better shot at solidifying a role in 2020.

Potentially beyond, which wouldn’t have been the case if the 49ers targeted a cornerback early.