Clear-cut studs, duds from 49ers preseason win over Vikings

49ers stud: Cornerback Deommodore Lenoir

San Francisco’s first two preseason games have afforded the opportunity to feature plenty of reserve cornerbacks, especially with the presumed starters, Charvarius Ward and Emmanuel Moseley, missing time because of soft-tissue injuries.

Rookie corner Samuel Womack continues to impress, yes, but arguably the best other young defensive back for the 49ers this season has been second-year pro Deommodore Lenoir, who looks to have fully turned the page on the struggles and benching that plagued him back in 2021.

Lenoir was strong enough in Week 1 of the preseason against the Green Bay Packers, but his showing against Minnesota was exemplary.

For starters, Lenoir was responsible for multiple open-field tackles, executing a great technique in the process.

Impressive, yes. But what was easily more impressive was watching him record two pass breakups on third-down conversion attempts, one in the first quarter and then another in the fourth, both passes defended taking place on third down.

Lenoir might end up no higher than a fourth or fifth cornerback on the depth chart this season, but his preseason performances certainly justify him sticking around on the 53-man roster.