SF 49ers: 5 players who must step up over final six games
By Peter Panacy
No. 3: SF 49ers Cornerback Emmanuel Moseley
It’s pretty impressive to think the SF 49ers still boast the league’s fourth-best pass defense entering their bye week despite having an anemic pass rush and being without their best cornerback, Richard Sherman, outside of his one appearance in Week 1.
Cornerbacks Jason Verrett and Emmanuel Moseley have been key reasons why coordinator Robert Saleh’s defense has stayed afloat so long, but the challenge isn’t going to be easier down the stretch when facing elite-level passing offenses like those of the Rams, Seahawks, Cardinals and Buffalo Bills.
Sherman could return from his calf injury after the bye week. But with nickel corner K’Waun Williams (ankle) projected to be out for at least a few more weeks, Sherman’s return could prompt Mosely to bump inside from the boundary, which he did at times last season.
On the year, per Pro Football Focus, Moseley is allowing opposing quarterbacks a passer rating of 106.4 when targeting him — up over 26 points from his efforts a season ago when he was inserted into the starting lineup.
Teams are likely going to continue that trend, especially with Verrett playing so well and Sherman’s established pedigree deterring quarterbacks from throwing his direction.
As such, Moseley needs to be on point.