49ers: 5 players put on notice by San Francisco’s NFL Draft moves

No. 3: 49ers CB K’Waun Williams

Now I have to admit, this one may be a slight stretch. But I have to believe some part of nickel corner K’Waun Williams feels the 49ers have drafted his replacements at the position in Notre Dame’s Ambry Thomas and Oregon’s Deommodore Lenoir.

Both players have the potential to play on the outside in the future, but at the moment, the Niners have two more than capable starters at the two outside corner positions, which means most of Thomas and Lenoir’s rookie reps will come at the expense of Williams.

Williams is also one of the older players in the defense, so it would be of no surprise to anyone if the coaching staff felt it would be better to give some of the younger players an opportunity to show their worth.

Rookie camp will basically decide Williams’ fate in the sense that, if Thomas shows out and proves that he is capable of starting sometime in the early weeks of this season, it will without a doubt force Williams to give up the sole starting slot cornerback role.

To make matters worse, if cornerback Jason Verrett re-signs with the team next year, Williams will without a doubt be allowed to walk in free agency if either of the rookie corners pans out.

Williams is playing for a job in the 2022 season, and will undoubtedly compete his heart out this summer.