There’s not a more fascinating position group for the 49ers this season than cornerback. They have a clear top two CBs, but in the modern NFL where nickel packages are so prevalent, a third quality CB is necessary given how often three or more of them are on the field at a time.
Shoring up that third CB spot was a clear priority for San Francisco this offseason, but in true 49ers fashion where CB play is prioritized below defensive line play, they invested more in quantity than quality. The result is a position group where several players will enter training camp with equal chance to either start or be cut from the team. To add intrigue to the matter, the 49ers spent a second-round pick on a cornerback in this year’s draft, making it the earliest they’ve ever selected a CB in the draft during the John Lynch-Kyle Shanahan era.
Here’s a projection of how the depth chart sits in the early stages of the offseason. Undrafted rookies will not be included until they officially sign:
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Ward is coming off his best season as a pro and will be in a contract year. He could be in line for a major pay raise if he earns a second consecutive All-Pro nod.
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There’s a chance Lenoir winds up playing outside if one of the newcomers at CB thrives in the slot. Lenoir was really good as a slot CB last year though and like Ward stands to make a lot of money next offseason if he puts together another good year as the 49ers’ nickel CB.
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This is where things get weird because we could conceivably insert any remaining CB here and an argument could be made for them to start. Yiadom signed with San Francisco this offseason and has generally been a special teams contributor in his career. He’s coming off a really nice defensive season though for the Saints and he’ll win the starting gig if he picks up where he left off last year.
(Photo by Jane Gershovich/Getty Images)
The 49ers like their 2023 fifth-round pick. He was mostly a special teams contributor last season and his ability to play there will help him secure a roster spot this offseason. Luter could definitely snag a starting role in Year 2 though if he can stay healthy.
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