San Francisco 49ers: 5 early battles to monitor for 2021 training camp
By Peter Panacy
49ers training camp battle No. 3: Cornerback depth
While San Francisco’s quarterback competition isn’t quite as fluid, there’s going to be a wide-open competition among the 49ers cornerbacks.
Arguably the only two set positions are pegged for one of the boundaries, Jason Verrett, and the nickel spot, K’Waun Williams, while Emmanuel Moseley initially appears to be the favorite to secure the other starting job on the outside alongside Verrett.
The Niners re-signed depth corner Dontae Johnson during the offseason while also adding rookies Ambry Thomas and Deommodore Lenoir on days two and three of the NFL Draft, respectively.
Thomas likely winds up being a boundary starter at some point, assuming he develops correctly, while Lenoir has experience playing multiple spots within the secondary. True, Lenoir’s 5-foot-10 frame suggests a nickel back. Yet his somewhat sluggish 4.34 20-yard shuttle time at his pro day could indicate he doesn’t yet have the quick-twitch reaction skills needed to handle frequent slot coverage.
San Francisco has also reportedly flirted with the idea of bringing veteran cornerback Richard Sherman back, which would push down many of the depth names.
If that ends up happening, players like Thomas and Lenoir could still make the cut, but they’ll be tabbed solely as reserve options and developmental players with the hopes of securing possible starting jobs in 2022, not 2021.