San Francisco 49ers: 5 veterans who enter 2020 training camp on roster bubble
By Peter Panacy
No. 1: 49ers Cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon
Dante Pettis might be dangerously on the wrong side of the roster bubble, while fourth-year cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon would appear a bit safer.
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The Niners don’t exactly have a ton of proven depth on the outside behind their projected starting tandem of Richard Sherman and Emmanuel Moseley, although the team did re-sign Dontae Johnson and Jason Verrett to one-year deals and inked undrafted free-agent rookie DeMarkus Acy after the draft this year.
But Witherspoon, whose career has gone up and down since he was selected in Round 3 of the 2017 NFL Draft, could find himself in a precarious spot.
Especially if one of those depth players outperforms the inconsistent veteran in training camp.
Keeping depth is important, yes. But it’s also important to note the 49ers aren’t exactly swimming in cap space right now, and Witherspoon is scheduled to earn just under $2.38 million in the final year of his rookie contract. Should San Francisco not see the needed improvement from Witherspoon between now and Week 1, cutting him would save $2.133 million with just $243,393 in dead money.
In Witherspoon’s case, the fiscal details are ultimately why he lands on the roster bubble in addition to having plenty of question marks about his performance entering 2020.