49ers: 4 players who could be cut before playing a snap in 2021

No. 1: 49ers Cornerback Deommodore Lenoir

There’s always far too much hype surrounding every NFL Draft pick each and every year.

The excitement is understandable, yes. But again, most picks flame out awfully quickly, and late-round selections are particularly vulnerable to not making a 53-man roster.

Such could easily be the case for the second of San Francisco’s two cornerbacks selected in this year’s draft, Oregon’s Deommodore Lenoir.

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Lenoir, 5-foot-10, is already going to have his work cut out for him as a fifth-round pick. It’s one thing his size works against him. But the fact he hasn’t displayed good quick-twitch reaction skills and was primarily limited to boundary duties in college could be another reason why he won’t work out this season.

Lenoir also didn’t get off to a good start at OTAs either, as Sports Illustrated’s Grant Cohn pointed out:

"Gave up a long catch over the middle to Deebo Samuel who was running an over route. Lenoir isn’t particular big, fast or explosive, which is a problem for an NFL cornerback."

To overcome these deficiencies, Lenoir will have to develop his instincts and technique. So far, the early signs aren’t promising, and it wouldn’t be shocking if he winds up being a roster cut by the time the preseason draws to a close.

Let’s hope not for his own development’s sake.