SF 49ers: Ranking 3 biggest weaknesses four weeks into 2020
By Peter Panacy
SF 49ers Weakest Position No. 2: Cornerback
Like wide receiver, the SF 49ers have been banged up at cornerback to start the season, too.
The Niners have already missed corners Richard Sherman (calf), Emmanuel Moseley (concussion), Ahkello Witherspoon (hamstring), Jason Verrett (hamstring) and K’Waun Williams (knee) at various points this season, pushing depth players like Dontae Johnson into starting roles.
Johnson’s Pro Football Focus grade on the season? A mere 62.6, which includes surrendering a game-deciding 42-yard touchdown to the Eagles in Week 4.
Verrett coming back in Week 3 and playing surprisingly well has helped this unit quite a bit, and his presence has partially explained why San Francisco owns the No. 2 pass defense through four weeks with just 736 yards allowed.
Granted, going up against the lowly offenses of the New York Jets and New York Giants helped inflate that stat quite a lot. And it’ll be interesting to see just how this unit responds when asked to face more elite passing offenses in the league.
A preview, unfortunately, could have been seen in Week 1 when the SF 49ers allowed Arizona wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins 14 receptions for a whopping 151 yards.
That alone could put cornerback on this list of most concerning positions on the Niners roster.