Robert Saleh calls 49ers’ No. 2 cornerback competition ‘wide open’

San Francisco 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman has one cornerback spot locked down. The other one opposite him appears to be up for grabs. That means a training-camp competition between Emmanuel Moseley, Jason Verrett, and Ahkello Witherspoon.

Defensive coordinator Robert Saleh spoke with reporters for the first time since the draft, and called the competition to start opposite Sherman "wide open."

"The cornerback spot opposite Sherm, obviously, we'd like to see competition over there," Saleh said.
"It is wide open, if you want to call it that. So, we're just trying to give guys opportunities to go win that job."

The 49ers hope Verrett can stay healthy and increase that competition. The injury-plagued veteran cornerback has struggled to keep off of injured reserve during his NFL career but has shown in the past that he can play at a Pro Bowl level.

Saleh is encouraged by what he's seen so far out of Verrett.

"As far as Verrett is concerned, he's been looking good," Saleh commented. "He looks a lot more comfortable. He looks a lot more confident. It's just a matter of him getting back into the feel of it. It's been a while for him to where he's been able to put together a full training camp, so he's off to a good start."