49ers roster: 3 rookies who are flashing early at 2022 OTAs

49ers rookie standout No. 1: Cornerback Samuel Womack

San Francisco doesn’t have too many starting spots up for grabs in 2022, but one of this is unquestionably at nickel cornerback in the wake of K’Waun Williams leaving the team for the Denver Broncos in free agency.

In response, the 49ers used a Round 5 draft pick on Toledo cornerback Samuel Womack, and it’s not hard to see the physical similarities between him and Williams.

True, a small-school rookie like Womack still has a long way to go before ultimately replacing Williams, and it’s likely the Niners will go with older, more experienced options before relying on a rookie to be a starting nickel corner.

However, the early impressions seem to be good.

Womack broke up a pass intended for rookie wide receiver Tay Martin, and the former was also seen lining up over the slot and on the boundary, meaning San Francisco wants to get the cornerback as many reps as possible to see if he’s equal to the challenge.

So far, so good. Womack appears to be responding well and might be able to translate his early success into an ascent up the depth chart, perhaps receiving some first-team consideration by the time training camp rolls around.