The NFL Network continued on it’s top 100 list and San Francisco 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman is the latest player to hit the list. Sherman clocked in at No. 64. Jimmy Garoppolo checked in earlier at No. 90.
Sherman has consistently ranked in the top 20 or 30 since emerging as a premier cornerback. He ranked No. 21 a year ago, No. 20 the year before, and No. 11 in 2015. However, he suffered a torn Achilles last November, and then was released by the Seattle Seahawks this offseason.
He quickly landed with the 49ers, and has been rehabbing ever since. He is expected to compete with Ahkello Witherspoon and Jimmie Ward for the top two spots on the cornerback depth chart. Tarvarius Moore is a dark horse in the cornerback competition. Sherman is not taking part in on-field activities during the offseason workout program, but has said he expects to be good to go by June. That conceivably would get him on the field for training camp, but I would not be surprised if the 49ers at least opened camp with him on the PUP list just to maintain the option if needed.
It will be interesting to see who else shows up on the top 100 list. Joe Staley and DeForest Buckner seem like good bets at this point. Keep in mind, the list is more a popularity contest than anything else. The NFL doesn’t give much in the way of voter background, participants, etc, which certainly makes the whole list suspect. But if the 49ers can build on last year and move closer to a playoff berth, expect to see more of their players on the list.
Same division. New team in 2018 @49ers CB @RSherman_25 checks in at #64!#NFLTop100 pic.twitter.com/c8Q9qmLKfD
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) May 15, 2018