These 49ers need to have epic bounce-back 2023 campaigns
By Peter Panacy
No. 3: 49ers cornerback Ambry Thomas
Unlike Javon Kinlaw, cornerback Ambry Thomas had a solid finish to his 2021 season that put him on the map as a possible long-term starter for the Niners at the position. Despite a shaky start to his own career, Thomas looked as if he was finally coming into form to wrap up his rookie year.
However, all that came crashing to a halt during 2022 training camp and preseason.
Thomas was taken over fully by his 2021 rookie defensive back, Deommodore Lenoir, who ended up starting opposite Charvarius Ward when San Francisco’s No. 2 boundary cornerback, Emmanuel Moseley, suffered a season-ending ACL tear in Week 5.
As for Thomas, the 49ers’ third-round pick from 2021, he ended up seeing just 41 regular-season defensive snaps over the course of last year.
Hardly the kind of production the Niners would want from a Round 3 pick.
Moseley is hitting NFL free agency this offseason, and he’s recovering from an ACL tear anyway.
However, Thomas will need to rebound in a big way to avoid being cast off as the least-needed player in San Francisco’s cornerback room.