4 players from 49ers 2022 NFL Draft who eventually become starters

49ers 2022 NFL Draft pick No. 3: CB Samuel Womack, Toledo

While nickel cornerbacks aren’t technically starters, since the NFL still looks at base formations as a team’s starting deployment. But given the current pass-happy nature of the league and the tendency for offenses to go with three-wide formations, slot corners are effectively starters these days regardless.

And that points to the Niners’ fifth-round rookie out of Toledo, cornerback Samuel Womack, being a starter.

It could happen sooner than later, too, in the wake of San Francisco losing its long-time veteran nickel back, K’Waun Williams, to the Denver Broncos in free agency this offseason.

Womack isn’t a shoo-in to earn the starting job, of course. But multiple reports from the 49ers’ offseason programs highlighted how well Womack was performing in practices despite not being able to play physical at the line of scrimmage.

Read More: Samuel Womack has best shot to start right away for San Francisco

If that trend continues, the Niners might be looking at a very smooth transition from Williams to Womack without having to lose too much by the way of production and impact.