49ers roster: 5 players who quietly overperformed in 2022
By Peter Panacy
Overperforming 49ers player No. 3: Cornerback Deommodore Lenoir
Yet another example of a young defensive back needing just a little time to fully acclimate to life at the NFL level.
Such is the case of second-year cornerback Deommodore Lenoir, who was a fringe player on San Francisco’s roster his rookie season after being selected in Round 5 of the draft out of Oregon. However, after a strong training camp, he ascended the depth chart over fellow 2021 rookie Ambry Thomas.
Yet Lenoir wasn’t pressed into starting until the 49ers lost veteran corner Emmanuel Moseley earlier in the year, which prompted Lenoir into the starting lineup and opposite cornerback Charvarius Ward.
Ward, the No. 1 defensive back at the position, has been excellent this season. However, opposing quarterbacks who are testing Lenoir instead of targeting Ward aren’t having tremendous success.
Lenoir is allowing opponents a passer rating of just 79.1 on the year, and he already has an interception and four passes broken up.
Oh, and Lenoir ranks fifth on the team in tackles, too, with 65.