Niner Noise
FanSided

Rethinking 49ers 53-man roster after first wave of 2021 cuts

By Robert Morrison

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Trey Lance (5) and quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Trey Lance (5) and quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jason Verrett, San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers defensive back Jason Verrett (2) Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports /

49ers Cornerbacks (6)

CB Jason Verrett

CB Emmanuel Moseley

SCB K’Waun Williams

CB Ambry Thomas

CB Deommodore Lenoir

CB Dontae Johnson

PS: CB Alexander Myres

While there are definitely concerns about the depth beyond the starters at cornerback for this 49ers team, the recent play of Deommodore Lenoir should have the team and fans alike feeling a little more comfortable.

The rookie out of Oregon has shown physicality and solid coverage skills during camp and against the Chiefs, and while it would be foolish to expect him to step in and make an immediately massive impact, his play could show he’s good enough to step in when called upon.

The starters are all set, with Jason Verrett and Emmanuel Moseley on the outside and K’Waun Williams in the slot, but who will step in when the Niners go beyond three corners remains a mystery, even with Lenoir showing out so far in camp.

Fellow rookie Ambry Thomas is off to a slow start, and while the team fully expects him to develop into a starting NFL cornerback, this season may be mostly growing pains for the third-round draft pick out of Michigan.

After the starters and rookies, the depth is a massive shrug. Only longtime 49er Dontae Johnson, former undrafted free agent Alexander Myres, and journeyman vet B.W. Webb, along with the newly-claimed Davontae Harris remain on the roster beyond those five.

For now, Johnson returns, mostly because he’s been around for years and is a willing special teams player, but if Harris makes enough noise, there’s a good chance he could take Johnson’s spot before the dust settles.