49ers Drake Jackson, 4 other rookies who break out right away
By Peter Panacy
49ers breakout rookie No. 2: Cornerback Samuel Womack
It’s not hard to rationalize San Francisco’s fifth-round selection of small-school defensive back Samuel Womack out of Toledo.
The 49ers opted not to re-sign veteran nickel corner K’Waun Williams entering 2022, and Williams went on to join the Denver Broncos in free agency, opening up a void for his starting role on the defense. And the immediate response of drafting the 5-foot-10, 187-pound Womack seemed to be the perfect move to offset Williams’ loss.
Getting younger and cheaper, right?
Of course, Womack is a rookie stemming from a small school, and young defensive backs often struggle with their respective transitions to the pro level.
That said, multiple reports out of both organized team activities and minicamp have touted how well Womack has played so far in practices, and it’s important to note he doesn’t have the ability to use press coverage at the line of scrimmage just yet because contact isn’t allowed until training camp.
This usually means defensive backs are at a disadvantage, but it appears as if Womack isn’t succumbing to this at all.
And that might ticket him towards being a day-one nickel starter in 2022.