49ers training camp: 5 players who won’t make roster after poor outings
By Peter Panacy
49ers training camp player No. 5: CB Ahkello Witherspoon
Cornerback has been one of the more provocative positions during 49ers training camp, and the depth questions could open up a few roster spots for players who otherwise may have had a tough time hanging out.
This could still be the case for fourth-year pro Ahkello Witherspoon, who has seen time running with the first-team unit but seems to be third in the pecking order for the No. 2 job behind Emmanuel Moseley and Jason Verrett.
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Verrett, who missed all but two snaps last year, seems to have regained some confidence and looks to be fully healthy after appearing in just six regular-season games dating back to the beginning of 2016 when he was with the San Diego Chargers.
And that’s bad news for Witherspoon, whose own demise last year doesn’t bode well for his roster chances in 2020.
Neither does this from Niners Nation:
"The cornerback competition opposite Richard Sherman is between two players, and neither of them is Witherspoon, who saved his best practice for Sunday. Unfortunately, it may be too little too late for ‘Spoon. When your confidence is shaky at a position where you’re going to get beaten—it’s inevitable—then it’s hard to rely on you in big moments. Too often during the week, Witherspoon would give up a play and let that affect him for the rest of the team period."
Two of Witherspoon’s biggest problems over the past two-plus years have been confidence and consistency, and it’s looking as if those issues are carrying over into training camp again.
Next. Winners, losers after first week of 49ers training camp. dark
Granted, the lack of established depth could open up a door for Witherspoon. But it’s just as probable he fails to make the cut between now and Week 1.