Most intriguing position battles for San Francisco 49ers in 2024
By Peter Panacy
No. 2: Cornerback
Players to watch: Renardo Green, Isaac Yiadom, Rock Ya-Sin, Ambry Thomas
Not unlike the situation at wide receiver, cornerback depth is going to be provocative over the course of the summer.
The Niners already have two of their top-three spots filled out with Deommodore Lenoir likely manning the nickel spot and All-Pro Charvarius Ward on one boundary. But the other boundary job is fully up for grabs.
This helps explain why San Francisco added two free-agent veterans during the offseason, Isaac Yiadom and Rock Ya-Sin, who can potentially emerge as starters there. But, after grabbing former Florida State cornerback Renardo Green in Round 2 of the draft, it's clear the long-term plan is for the latter to force his way into a prominent role.
Young defensive backs do tend to take a while to adjust to life at the pros, though, meaning Green might best start his NFL career as a primary backup, especially for a team like the 49ers ready to win a Super Bowl now.
That said, could Green challenge for a starting job? And, if the other veterans remain impressive enough, would it finally mean the Niners are willing to move on from the inconsistent presence of Ambry Thomas a year before his current contract expires?
Perhaps.