Niner Noise
FanSided

4 SF 49ers players already fighting for their futures this season

By Timmy Gibson

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) is sacked by Miami Dolphins defensive end Zach Sieler (92) Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) is sacked by Miami Dolphins defensive end Zach Sieler (92) Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Ahkello Witherspoon, SF 49ers
San Francisco 49ers cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon (23) Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 2: SF 49ers Cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon

Another 49ers player fighting for his future is cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon. Witherspoon has been with the Niners since they drafted him in 2017 and is currently set to be an unrestricted free agent after this season.

Any player in a contract year is fighting for his future, but given the current SF 49ers cornerback room, there is extra pressure on Witherspoon. The Niners’ top four cornerbacks currently consist of veteran superstar Richard Sherman who is currently on injured reserve, Emmanuel Moseley, and Jason Verrett.

In his time with the 49ers, Witherspoon has shown flashes of greatness but has still yet to develop into the consistent superstar fans hoped for when he was drafted in the third round.

Instead, he has been mediocre, and at one point last season, he was benched in favor of Moseley.

Moseley has established himself as a consistent corner and is currently named as a starter on the 49ers depth chart as of Oct. 20. And now, Verrett, a former first-rounder and Pro Bowler who has struggled with significant injuries in his career, appears to have returned to form, being named starter opposite Moseley on that same depth chart. Verrett particularly shined in Week 6, being Pro Football Focus‘ highest-graded defensive player of the week.

Verrett has established himself as a linchpin of the 49ers defense, and unless his play significantly regresses for the rest of the season, it is hard to imagine him not continuing to place above Witherspoon on the depth chart.

Particularly when Sherman returns from injury, it becomes harder and harder to see where Witherspoon fits into this defense. I made the case a few weeks ago the Niners should trade Witherspoon, as he truly is an above-average talent at cornerback.

He simply is not an above-average talent for San Francisco.

Unless the SF 49ers take my advice and trade Witherspoon this season, he will be up for a new contract in 2021. So, how he plays over the rest of this season will determine his future with the 49ers.

Perhaps another team as well.