San Francisco 49ers: Regrading 2017 NFL Draft class

Round 3: 49ers Cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon

There was a lot to like about then-rookie cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon coming out of Colorado.

While he wasn’t known for his work in run defense, Witherspoon was seen as a solid cover guy and a potential gem of a find in Round 3. At the time, the 49ers needed someone to patrol the back end alongside then-starting corner Rashard Robinson, and Witherspoon looked like he could be it.

Witherspoon didn’t start right away. But thanks to Robinson’s regression, the former ended up securing the starting role after four weeks and eventually pushed Robinson completely off the roster.

In 2018, though, Witherspoon regressed and looked nothing like he did his rookie season. Then, in 2019, Witherspoon bounced back nicely early in the season and was following the path many young defensive backs take with regards to early development. But a foot injury sidelined him for a good chunk of the season, then he looked underwhelming late in the season and ultimately lost his starting job to fellow cornerback Emmanuel Moseley.

Witherspoon’s status as a third-round pick lessens the expectation level a bit. But it’s hard to gauge this selection as anything better than barely average after three years.