Early during the 2017 season, it looked as if the San Francisco 49ers were going to have to take more of a “wait and see” approach with then-rookie cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon.
After all, Witherspoon had something of a rough training camp, regularly overpowered by NFL-level offensive players, which eventually resulted in the third-round draftee being inactive the first four weeks of his rookie season.
But things started to pick up for Witherspoon halfway through the year. He managed a nice interception off Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz in Week 8, and his solid play led both to the Niners placing him in a starting role and trading off then-starting corner Rashard Robinson prior to the trade deadline.