The top two options are clear, but what about the depth behind them?
Of all the issues for the San Francisco 49ers in 2024, coverage in the secondary was a huge bright spot for the defense with the emergence of Renardo Green, combined with the stellar play of Deommodore Lenoir. Lenoir finished 20th in the NFL with a 71.7 coverage grade, allowing 58 receptions on 89 targets and zero touchdowns in 15 games. Green earned a 74.3 coverage grade and allowed 44 catches on 70 targets and three touchdowns in the same number of games.
While there is no doubt the 49ers’ cornerback duo’s arrow is pointing up, the depth behind the top two cornerbacks is a huge question. Upton Stout is in line to become the slot cornerback. If Lenoir or Green are forced to miss time with injury, Tre Brown, Tre Avery, and Darrell Luter, Jr would be in line to fill in. Brown played a career-high 623 snaps in 2023 with Seattle and finished with a 64.1 coverage grade and allowed 30 receptions on 47 targets. Avery has played a total of 651 snaps in three seasons.
Depth is hard to have in the NFL. The drop-off from starters to backups can vary from close to huge, but the 49ers are banking on healthy seasons from Lenoir and Green. Lenoir has played over 3,000 snaps over the last three seasons, including the postseason. Jakob Robinson is a sleeper to climb the depth chart, but hasn’t logged a snap in the NFL and went undrafted.
Jaire Alexander became available after his release from Green Bay and has health concerns, but he could provide valuable depth for the 49ers’ cornerback room. Alexander and Lenoir would start on the outside, with Lenoir kicking inside on passing downs and Green taking over outside.
If the 49ers aren’t interested in Alexander, Asante Samuel Jr is another name to monitor with a medical landmark left to clear before teams would invest in him at age 25.
The team may opt to roll with Lenoir, Green, and Stout and monitor the trade market nearing the trade deadline. The name to keep in mind is Greg Newsome from the Cleveland Browns given the likelihood of Cleveland not being involved in a playoff push and his expiring contract.
It is also possible the team wants to give Luter Jr. a real opportunity to prove his worth as a cornerback and provide depth to the top two options.
Whichever direction the 49ers choose to go, the plan is hoping Lenoir and Green play nearly every single down. We’ll see if the team is proactive or reactive in addressing the cornerback depth.