Today let's discuss the Cornerbacks on our team.
Richard Sherman - After many years being a on a heated Rival team, he joined the Gold Gang least season. While he isn't quite as physical as he was doe to age and injuries, he's still at the very least well respected on the field. His stats are a bit misleading because even though he had 0 INT, QB tended not to throw in his direction, so he is still regarded as a very good if not elite corner. It's clear the Saleh system requires tall rangy CBs to battle the physical receivers the 49ers tend to face and Sherman has been the prototype. I think barring injury he should be a very solid CB for another 2-3 years at least.
Skills: A-
Performance: B+
Potential: B-
Overall: B+
Akhello Witherspoon - 2017 Draft pick. After having a pretty solid rookie season, Witherspoon took a step back this year. He made some great plays but he was often burned by receivers due to a lack of fundamentals and technique. These issues can be coached up though and it didn't help that the lack of pass rush made his job much harder He has elite athleticism and size for someone in his position hr just needs to clean up his fundamental and not rely so heavily on his athleticism to make plays. I expect him to have something of a breakout season.
Skills: B-
Performance: C-
Potential: A-
Overall: B-
Jason Verrett - This one is kind of a wild card. Jason did not play the entire last season, but he's on a cheap prove it deal and he may end up being a steal. If healthy Verett is a very good corner who plays much larger than his 5'10 frame would suggest. He was often matched up and did favorably against larger receivers. He's solid in coverage and can even provide some run support but again he hasn't been healthy in 2 seasons and he'll either be a starter or get waived, there's not much in between. I think he could emerge as the primary slot CB
Skills: B+
Performance: D-
Potential: B
Overall C+
K'Waun Williams - At this point K'Waun Williams has nestled him self nicely as the teams primary nickel back. He's a good tackler but I wouldn't call him amazing. In an ideal world Verrett could take his place as the primary slot/nickeleback but even if K'Waun emerges as the starter, he's a decent if unspectacular player.
Skills: C+
Performance: C+
Potential: C+
Overall: C+
DJ Reed - 2018 5th round draft pick. Last year Reed was a special teams contributor and got playing time (at safety) due to the injuries that piled on over the course of the season. Being only 5'9. I think his ceiling is playing in nickel and dime packages but with that said if he continues to work hard and improve he'll be a longtime contributor. There has also been some talk about moving to him safety as a primary backup and that's fine, he is solid at run support and he has the closing speed to even affect the QB in blitzes. Either way he was a steal in the 5th round, because he is a pretty versatile player that can contribute in multiple ways.
Skills: C+
Performance: B-
Potential: B-
Overall: C+
Dontae Johnson - Signed to a 1-year deal after being bounced around the NFL. He is about 16 months removed a severe groin injury. He last played in 2017 and he hasn't lived up to his potential and on paper he should be just a camp body but he he has a chance to make the roster since the depth at CB is very thin. I still think he's only 50/50 to make the 53 man roster still, there are younger options who may or may not be better than him, at this point in his career.
Skills: C
Performance: D
Potemtial: D+
Overall: C-
Greg Mabin - Another player who is at best a special teams player. Mabin has NFL size at 6'1 200lbs but he isn't a great athlete and if he is asked to start, opposing offenses will pick on him. He seems to be having a good camp this year buthe'll probably be the last corner in the 53 man roster though.
Skills: C
Performance: F
Potential: C
Overall: D+
Tim Harris - 2019 6th Round Draft pick. Tim Harris has the type f size you like in an NFC West corner at a 6'2 and 195 lbs. One thing that concerns me is that he missed a lot time due to injury and that trend may continue in the NFL. I think the 49ers will stash him away either as an NFI candidate or on the practice squad. He needs a season to get acclimated to reading defenses at an NFL level and working to hone his instincts as he got by on his athleticism in college covering for his lack of anticipation. With that said, he is a good tackler and can contribute in run support. He is a low risk, good upside player as a 6th rounder and he could be a good developmental piece.
Skills: C-
Performance: D
Potential: D+
Overall: D+
Emanuel Mosely - Practice Squad candidate. Played in one game last year and hurt his shoulder, sidelining him for the remainder of the season. He may be in the mix for the starting nickel role this year, but he is a thin 5'11 at 184 lbs and his thin frame may not be built to take NFL level punishment. If he can add some bulk without losing his speed he could be a sleeper but with DJ Reed and K'Waun Williams likely being ahead of him, he's a longshot to make the roster.
Skills: D
Performance: F
Potential: F
Overall: F
Unit Analysis: Aside from Richard Sherman, this group is made of skilled players who are often hurt or just guys who are limited in one way or another. The success of this unit totally dependent on the performance of the front seven and also the health of it's players. If they generate a pass rush, the cornerbacks will have opportunities to make plays, but honestly they couldn't possibly play worse as a unit than last year. So there's that.
Unit Grade: C+