Tag: Ahkello Witherspoon

Rams to sign former 49ers CB Ahkello Witherspoon

Former 49ers CB Ahkello Witherspoon is back in the NFC West.

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Cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon is making his way back to the NFC West. NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported Witherspoon is set to sign with the Los Angeles Rams. Jourdan Rodrigue of the Athletic later reported the contract will be a one-year deal.

Witherspoon joined the NFL as a third-round pick of the 49ers in the 2017 draft. He had more downs than ups with San Francisco and left after his four-year rookie contract was up.

He signed with the Seahawks before the 2021 campaign, but was traded to Pittsburgh where he spent the last two years.

The Rams are undergoing an extreme overhaul that could put them in line to be the worst team in the division. Witherspoon brings some veteran stability for them, but it’s still hard to envision LA making a push for the NFC West crown.

Witherspoon in six seasons has played in 60 games with 40 starts. He’s posted 152 tackles, three tackles for loss, 35 pass breakups and eight interceptions.

If he winds up sticking with the Rams, the 49ers will see their old friend in Week 2 when they visit SoFi Stadium. He wouldn’t make his return to Levi’s Stadium until Week 18 when the 49ers host their division rival in the season finale.

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12 remaining free-agent cornerbacks the Panthers could still sign

Here are 12 notable cornerbacks who are still available in free agency:

On Wednesday, ESPN NFL insider Field Yates suggested that the Carolina Panthers add some cornerback depth before the offseason comes to an end. But let’s be honest, we really didn’t need a reminder.

Between injuries to starters Jaycee Horn and Donte Jackson as well as the lack of reliable reinforcements behind them, the Panthers are still quite thin at the position. So, if they end up dipping back into the free-agent market this summer, here are 12 corners that could get a call.

Eagles WR A.J. Brown gets a random drug test after 3 TD performance vs. Steelers

Philadelphia Eagles star wide receiver A.J. Brown landed on the NFL’s list for a random drug test after his 3 touchdown catches against the Pittsburgh Steelers

A.J. Brown had a career-high in receiving yards and three touchdowns on Sunday and then woke up Monday morning to a random drug test.

Philadelphia’s star wideout tweeted out the news one morning after three scores in the first half and one dominating performance after he beat Steelers cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon and safety Minkah Fitzpatrick.

Brown had six receptions for 156 yards and helped the Eagles win their first seven games for only the second time in franchise history and first since 2004, when Donovan McNabb and Terrell Owens led the franchise to the Super Bowl.

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Twitter reacts to A.J. Brown’s dominant 3 TD first-half performance vs. Steelers

Philadelphia wide receiver A.J. Brown is dominating Pittsburgh cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon and just recorded his third receiving touchdown of the first half as the Eagles lead the Steelers 21-7

The expectation was that A.J. Brown’s arrival in Philadelphia would signal an upgrade at wide receiver, and on Sunday against Pittsburgh, the ‘Swole’ Batman exploded for a monster first half.

Philadelphia obviously saw something about Steelers cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon and Hurts has targeted that side of the field three times on deep shots to his favorite target.

Brown now has five catches for 113 yards and three touchdowns.

Watch: Eagles WR A.J. Brown ‘Mossed’ Steelers Ahkello Witherspoon for 3rd TD of 1st half

Philadelphia wide receiver A.J. Brown is dominating Pittsburgh cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon and just recorded his third receiving touchdown of the first half as the Eagles lead the Steelers 21-7

The expectation was that A.J. Brown’s arrival in Philadelphia would signal an upgrade at wide receiver, and on Sunday against Pittsburgh, the ‘Swole’ Batman exploded for a monster first half.

Brown now has five catches for 113 yards and three touchdowns.

Colorado football countdown to Week 1 kickoff: 23 days

Two No. 23s did big things for the Buffs in the mid-2010s

In the mid-2010s, the No. 23 was worn by a pair of Colorado Buffaloes who had great college careers and are currently in the NFL: Phillip Lindsay and Ahkello Witherspoon.

Both Lindsay, who’s in training camp with the Indianapolis Colts, and Witherspoon, a second-year Pittsburgh Steeler, helped the 2016 Buffs win the Pac-12 South. Their career numbers are also seen frequently throughout CU’s record book.

Karl Dorrell’s Buffs are now hoping to replicate some of that 2016 magic. Colorado is just 23 days away from beginning its 2022 campaign with the TCU Horned Frogs coming to Folsom Field on Sept. 3.

So, let’s honor that special No. 23 by looking back at a few moments from Witherspoon and Lindsay’s Colorado careers:

Buffs in the NFL: Ahkello Witherspoon inks two-year deal with Steelers

Ahkello Witherspoon remains a Pittsburgh Steeler

NFL free agency has been an absolute whirlwind. The big names have moved on, and money has been thrown around at a record rate.

There are a few former Colorado Buffaloes players hitting free agency, with Phillip Lindsay as the biggest name. He hasn’t signed yet, but he should find a new home within a couple of weeks, at the latest.

However, former Buff Ahkello Witherspoon signed a new two-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers, according to Josina Anderson of CBS Sports.

Witherspoon was traded from the Seattle Seahawks to the Steelers last season and fit in rather nicely on the defense in Pittsburgh, so bringing him back was also something both sides were hoping for.

Witherspoon played just nine games for the Steelers in 2021 but tallied three interceptions and nine pass deflections. It took some time, and Witherspoon was inactive for most of the first half of the year before getting a ton of playing time down the stretch.

The Steelers have added a few other pieces to their defense, including Myles Jack, who was released from the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Tyrann Mathieu remains an option, and the Steelers are trying to patch up their roster following the departure of franchise quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.

After trading a fifth-round pick for Witherspoon prior to the 2021 campaign, they waste no time bringing him back.

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How the Colts can replace CB Rock Ya-Sin

The CB position is a bigger need now. Here’s how the Colts can replace Rock Ya-Sin.

For the Indianapolis Colts, the cornerback position was a big need heading into the 2022 offseason. The position was riddled with injuries and inconsistent play last year, leaving much to be desired in the secondary.

With Xavier Rhodes now a free agent and the Colts showing no intention of resigning him, Chris Ballard needed to fill his spot this off-season.

Free-agent Brandon Facyson was added on Tuesday, showing cornerback was on top of the priority list for the front office. The Colts then turned around and dealt Rock Ya-Sin to the Raiders in exchange for Yannick Ngakoue, putting them back at square one in the secondary construction department.

Many quality free agents have already been scooped up, and without a first-round draft pick, the Colts may have to do some digging to find a leader in the secondary.

Here are some options Chris Ballard and the front office should look for in the coming weeks to replace Ya-Sin with:

4 cornerbacks the Patriots can add to replace J.C. Jackson

The options are slim, but here potential replacements for J.C. Jackson in New England.

The departure of J.C. Jackson leaves a huge hole in the New England Patriots’ defense.

Bill Belichick went from Stephon Gilmore and Jackson anchoring the secondary to Jalen Mills as the top option. Jackson joined the Los Angeles Chargers on a five-year, $82.5 million contract — money the Patriots simply don’t have to spend.

Money is currently the issue. The Patriots spent a ton on players in free agency last offseason and there isn’t much leftover, especially with the task of re-signing veterans like Devin McCourty, Matt Slater, Nick Folk and Brian Hoyer.

The Patriots’ depth at the cornerback position currently consists of Mills, Jonathan Jones, Myles Bryant, Joejuan Williams and Shaun Wade. Let’s take a dive into cheaper options at cornerback that New England can consider.

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5 free agent CBs the Colts should consider in 2022

Here are five CBs the Indianapolis Colts should consider in free agency for 2022.

The Indianapolis Colts are set up pretty nicely when it comes to the cornerback room, but it still wouldn’t hurt to add some depth in free agency during the 2022 offseason.

Though they shouldn’t be expected to splurge at the position when the middle of March rolls around, having four solid cornerbacks would go a long way for the defense. The priority is the pass rush, and that should take precedence over everything.

But with a young, developing cornerback room working under Ron Milus, the Colts should be relatively active in free agency when it comes to adding an upside veteran to work in the rotation.

We shouldn’t expect the Colts to be in on players like J.C. Jackson, Stephon Gimore or even Carlton Davis. Their talent certainly warrants a place on this list and they would make the defense better but we’re also trying to be realistic.

If we’ve learned anything from the last four offseasons, Chris Ballard doesn’t go after the top-tier free agents.

Here are five cornerbacks the Colts should consider in 2022 free agency:

Be sure to check out our free agency pieces on other positions!

  • Offensive Tackle (link)
  • Tight End (link)
  • Defensive End (link)