49ers have intriguing options at nickel cornerback in 2022

49ers option No. 3: Moving Ambry Thomas inside in Year 2

Prior to the start of the 2021 season, then-rookie cornerback Ambry Thomas was pegged as a possible long-term candidate for nickel duties.

We have to keep in mind San Francisco’s other 2021 draft selection at cornerback, Deommodore Lenoir, might have the shortish body of a nickel back at 5-foot-10 and 200 pounds. But Lenoir played almost exclusively on the boundary at Oregon and lacks the quick-reaction skills necessary for inside duties.

At any rate, Thomas’ early foray into life at the pro level was tough, and when injuries finally forced him into the starting lineup late in the season, his initial production was awfully lackluster.

Read More: Ambry Thomas’ late-season surge should help Niners’ cornerback search

However, steady improvement to close out the regular season and into the postseason at least put him in the discussion for a possible starting job, and he’ll likely wind up getting a few looks as an inside cornerback during training camp.

Especially if both Charvarius Ward and Jason Verrett lock down the two outside spots on the depth chart.