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With the second pick of the third round in the 2017 NFL Draft, the San Francisco 49ers have selected Colorado cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon, whom they hosted for a visit on April 11th.
Following the selection, 49ers general manager John Lynch spoke to the media and explained why the team selected Witherspoon. The 49ers took another look at the cornerback earlier today and decided then that he would be their selection if he fell to them.
"A unique set of skills in that he's just under 6-3, close to 6-3 and about 200 pounds, just under that and we feel like he's got a lot of room for growth," Lynch said. "Yet, his movement skills and his profile will allow him to really be an excellent scheme fit for us. He's a really smart kid. That was quite apparent when he came on his visit here. And, we grew really comfortable. Had a great conversation, I think it was last week, with his [University of Colorado] head coach Mike MacIntyre who I got to know when I was living in Denver, the head coach at Colorado. And, coach MacIntyre is a former DB coach in the NFL and I think has a keen eye for defensive backs and he really helped me kind of understand what this kid is all about."
Lynch was asked what Witherspoon's role on the team would be. "He's gonna compete," Lynch said. "And, you know, there's a great opportunity for him to do so, but he's gonna have to earn that."
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