San Francisco 49ers set up for short and long-term in secondary

With Richard Sherman joining a cast of talented young defensive backs, the San Francisco 49ers’ secondary is set up for both the short and the long term.

When Richard Sherman signed with the San Francisco 49ers, there was some skepticism as to what impact a 30-year-old cornerback coming off Achilles surgery could have.

What was not questioned, however, was that Sherman would bring much-needed veteran leadership to a secondary boasting some young talent but not much in the way of experience.

But it may still come as some surprise just how quickly Sherman has managed to make an impact on his teammates in the secondary, and particularly on Ahkello Witherspoon, who is poised to live out a dream in playing across from Sherman and — per 49ers.com — believes the two have already developed an understanding despite not having practiced together yet.

"“It’s been very natural. I attribute it to him being a fellow Aries. We understand each other on a different level. But on the football side he’s just a great, great person. (He) teaches me a lot. He’s very active and hands on and just wants to see my game propel to the next level.” – Ahkello Witherspoon on Richard Sherman."

Astrology aside, if that understanding translates into strong performances on the field, then the Niners will have a starting duo featuring a veteran with a history of locking down opposing defenders and, in Witherspoon, a well-built and athletic second-year corner who vastly improved down the stretch in 2017.

At 23, Witherspoon has the potential to be a fixture of the 49ers defense for the best part of a decade and, while Sherman’s impact figures to be of the short-term variety, San Francisco has made moves to try to ensure there is a replacement ready to partner Witherspoon when Sherman is no longer starter material.

In the draft the 49ers used a third-round pick on Tarvarius Moore, who came out as a safety but will be tried out at corner by the team.

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Moore — blessed with 4.3 speed — fits the bill of what the 49ers look for athletically in an outside corner, boasting a 6-1 and 199-pound frame and long 33-inch arms.

In addition, they were able to acquire one of the top undrafted free agent corners in Tarvarus McFadden who, while not as fast as Moore, is of the ideal build for the Niners’ cover 3 scheme at 6-2 and 204 pounds with 32-inch arms and displayed excellent ball skills at Florida State by recording 16 pass deflections and eight interceptions in his career.

With Sherman serving as a mentor to two rookies who fit the defense, the Niners are potentially set up for both the short and the long term at boundary corner.

And that is the case across the secondary for the 49ers.

K’Waun Williams is tied down through 2020 but has competition at slot corner from rookie fifth-round pick D.J. Reed, who arrives in the league at the tender age of 21. At safety Adrian Colbert and Jaquiski Tartt appear pencilled in as long-term starters — Jimmie Ward is also an option for at least 2018 — with the versatile Moore and rookie sixth-round pick Marcell Harris providing depth.

The 49ers’ secondary has been much maligned in recent years and its success in 2018 is dependent on Sherman’s recovery and Witherspoon, Colbert and Tartt building on the substantial promise they demonstrated in 2017.

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However, the fact those collection of players blossomed so quickly under defensive coordinator Robert Saleh and defensive backs coach Jeff Hafley is a positive sign for the further development of a secondary that is talented enough to succeed in the short term and young enough to be one of the strengths of the team well into the future.