49ers training camp 2021: 4 biggest concerns from Week 1

No. 1: 49ers cornerback depth is razor-thin

No. 2 boundary cornerback Emmanuel Moseley was just activated off the reserve/COVID list late last week, and the Niners needed him back in a big way.

They also need Moseley to perform well this season, too, especially with injury concerns for fellow corners Jason Verrett and K’Waun Williams. Even the presumed first-string backup cornerback, Dontae Johnson, has been dealing with a foot issue during camp.

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This has allowed San Francisco to experiment with its two rookie corners, Ambry Thomas and Deommodore Lenoir, at points with the first-team unit. Yet Thomas, who opted out of his 2020 campaign, has looked rusty. Lenoir, meanwhile, remains a project and doesn’t have the play speed to keep up with NFL-level receivers, meaning he’ll have to gain experience to compensate with his own football IQ.

Both will take time.

Things got rough enough where the 49ers started now-waived corner Tim Harris Jr. with the first-stringers, only to part ways with him the following day, inking veteran corner B.W. Webb in the process.

It appears as if the Niners are scrambling for depth options right now, and they should be hoping their starters remain both healthy and productive over the entirety of 2021, while Thomas rapidly develops into a potential long-term starter.