49ers roster: Dontae Johnson could see heavy use in 2021

A questionable cornerback depth chart could ultimately force the 49ers to field reserve defensive back Dontae Johnson a lot in 2021.

The San Francisco 49ers appear to like veteran cornerback Dontae Johnson a lot more than the fanbase, which probably helps explain why there were some groans and moans on social media when the Niners announced they brought Johnson back on a cheap one-year deal this offseason.

It might end up being a good and necessary thing, though.

San Francisco appreciates Johnson’s experience and versatility. And while he’ll never be more than a reserve option at this stage in his career, the 49ers’ former fourth-round draft pick in 2014 out of NC State could actually wind up assuming a critical role on the team’s depth chart entering 2021.

The Niners appear set with their starting trio of cornerbacks: Jason Verrett, Emmanuel Moseley and K’Waun Williams.

After that, though, the depth chart gets noticeably more questionable.

Verrett’s injury history, despite him also returning to San Francisco on a one-year deal, required San Francisco to stockpile some other options. After all, Verrett played in just six regular-season games between 2016 and 2019 before a relatively injury-free campaign a year ago. Williams, too, missed significant time last year (eight games) and shouldn’t be fully counted upon to stay healthy.

49ers rookie cornerbacks aren’t threatening Dontae Johnson yet

The remainder of 49ers cornerbacks on their offseason roster don’t inspire much, unless someone is banking on breakout seasons from camp bodies like Mark Fields II or Tim Harris.

But the two players of most interest are the rookie corners, Round 3 selection Ambry Thomas and fifth-round draft pick Deommodore Lenoir.

Related Story: 3 things to expect from rookie CB Deommodore Lenoir

Yes, these two have their upsides as press-man cornerbacks, although their early development and maturation during organized team activities haven’t exactly shown any indication they’ll be ready to start anytime soon.

Sports Illustrated’s Grant Cohn explained why both players ended up on his “not so good” list from one OTA practice:

"Cornerback Ambry Thomas.Broke up a pass intended for Austin Watkins, but everyone does that (more on Watkins below). When Thomas faced Travis Benjamin, Thomas got beat by a quick whip route. Eager to see what Thomas does when the one-on-one drills begin.Cornerback Deommodore Lenoir.Gave up a long catch over the middle to Deebo Samuel who was running an over route. Lenoir isn’t particularly big, fast or explosive, which is a problem for an NFL cornerback."

It’s important to note Thomas opted out of his 2020 campaign, so there’s going to be some rawness there. And Lenoir, 5-foot-10, lacks the quick-twitch ability to make for a starting nickel cornerback right away.

Johnson, meanwhile, has experience at both spots. While the fanbase wasn’t overly enthralled with him last year, particularly in light of him bouncing on and off the roster the last two years, his respectable 67.7 overall Pro Football Focus grade last season suggests he’s not completely a liability.

Remember, Johnson ended up starting three games last year and registered 23 tackles, three passes broken up and an interception.

While no one is expecting Johnson to somehow emerge as a starting-caliber option, as a decent backup, he sure seems to be offering much more than either one of San Francisco’s two rookie cornerbacks, which should help the veteran’s chances of not only making the 53-man roster this season but also potentially seeing a good deal of field time in 2021 in the wake of a potential injury to one of the team’s starters.