49ers 53-man roster prediction with mandatory minicamp in the books
By Peter Panacy
Secondary (9)
Renardo Green*, Darrell Luter Jr., Charvarius Ward, Rock Ya-Sin, Isaac Yiadom, Deommodore Lenoir, Ji'Ayir Brown, Malik Mustapha*, George Odum
San Francisco made some notable changes to its defensive backfield during the offseason, inking free-agent veteran cornerbacks like Rock Ya-Sin and Isaac Yiadom, who'll likely push others like Ambry Thomas and Samuel Womack off the roster.
Rookie second-rounder Renardo Green likely begins his pro career as a backup, and the 49ers are working him out at nickel first where he'll back up Deommodore Lenoir on the depth chart.
Lenoir and Charvarius Ward, incumbent starters from last season, are free agents in 2025. But that's a problem for another time.
All-Pro Talanoa Hufanga, working his way back from a torn ACL suffered last year, indicated he's hoping to return soon, but there's a strong chance he begins the regular season on an injury list and isn't available in Week 1, putting someone like George Odum into a starting role.
Where will rookie Round 4 pickup Malik Mustapha fit in on the depth chart? Could he start right away?