49ers pre-training camp 53-man roster prediction: Who survives cuts?

49ers' Secondary

CB Charvarius Ward

CB Deommodore Lenoir

CB Renardo Green

CB Isaac Yiadom

CB Darrell Luter, Jr.

CB Samuel Womack

S Talanoa Hufanga

S Ji'Ayir Brown

S George Odum

S Malik Mustapha

This unit has the makings of a really good group, albeit one that still lacks an obvious answer for the biggest question from last year: what do you do about the nickelback position?

The team is hoping that rookie Renardo Green takes to it like a fish to water, which will allow Deommodore Lenoir to remain on the outside regardless of what personnel the opposition throws at the 49ers' defense. But that may be a lot to ask of a rookie who has some, but not extensive, experience in the slot coming out of Florida State.

The second best option would be for Isaac Yiadom to show that his 2023 campaign with the Saints wasn't a fluke, allowing Lenoir to do what he did last season where he slid inside in nickel alignments, with Yiadom taking over on the outside opposite Charvarius Ward.

Lenoir, yet another pending free agent in 2025, is likely hoping for the first scenario to play out, as his showing out as a full time outside corner will garner him more money on the open market, even if his versatility is a major selling point.

Suffice it to say, those four guys are likley to be the major players in the cornerback room this season, with Darrell Luter and Samuel Womack sliding in, for now, as the depth pieces. I feel the most unsure about Womack, but it's clear that the Ambry Thomas era is over after the way last season ended. Veteran Rock Ya-Sin is also another name to watch there.

As for the safeties, provided that Talanoa Hufanga is ready to go, this group of four feels like a no-brainer. Hufanga and Ji'Ayir Brown is an intriguing pairing for the starting group, with veteran George Odum serving as depth as well as being an ace special teams player.

Rookie Malik Mustapha is coming in with a similar mindset that Hufanga did during his rookie season in that he wants to be an All-Pro special teamer. He also appears to be chiseled out of stone.

There's always the chance that the 49ers add a veteran here later in training camp, especially if Hufanga's recovery isn't trending toward being ready for Week 1, but barring that, this group should be solid.