Shoddy cornerback play initially derailed DeMeco Ryans’ first season because the 49ers’ defensive coordinator.
From pass-interference penalties to blown coverages, that unit earned scapegoat standing for a 3-5 begin, which started in staggering style with Jason Verrett’s knee harm within the season opener.
And now?
“Our guys have an opportunity to be actually good,” Ryans stated at minicamp this week. “I like the place we're.
“It’s going to be nice to see these guys coming into (coaching) camp when it’s actual soccer and time to take off. I’m excited for the place they're they usually can nonetheless enhance. It’s going to be thrilling to look at.”
Excited is a greater phrase than “dreading” potential showdowns this season towards elite receivers. The NFC West is filled with pass-catching energy couples on the Rams (Cooper Kupp, Allen Robinson), the Cardinals (DeAndre Hopkins, Marquise Brown) and the Seahawks (DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett). Additionally on the schedule: Davante Adams (Raiders), Tyreek Hill (Dolphins), and lots of extra nightmares.
At the least this 12 months’s assortment of 49ers cornerbacks appears extra up for these challengers. Final season’s 19 pass-interference penalties are prior to now.
Then once more, at the moment’s NFL pits all cornerbacks in too many no-win conditions, and fantasy soccer isn’t precisely rating cornerbacks.
Here's a glimpse at how the 49ers’ seemingly restocked and upgraded cornerback unit seems to be:
CHARVARIUS WARD
Signed for large cash ($26 million assured) from the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, the 49ers’ marquee free agent this offseason is lining up on the fitting facet. At the least he did in organized group activites. He took minicamp apply off to relaxation his physique.
Ward comes with elite press-coverage expertise which can be atypical to this scheme, however he’s prepared to share.
“All of us give one another suggestions and pointers,” Ward stated. “We have now totally different our bodies, totally different strategies. We’re all studying from one another. I’m a four-year veteran so I’m making an attempt to provide suggestions.”
Chiefs followers howled at Ward’s quote this previous week, when requested if Trey Lance shares similarities with Chiefs counterpart Patrick Mahomes. Ward sounded complimentary (with a contact of humor) fairly than degrading when he replied: “Each of them are going to be nice quarterbacks. They’re light-skinned, nice quarterbacks, that’s the similarities.”
EMMANUEL MOSELEY
Minicamp noticed Moseley repeatedly make performs and supply tight protection. After beginning 28 video games over the previous three seasons (and lacking six final 12 months with ankle and knee accidents), Moseley is the beginning left cornerback, until Ambry Thomas steals that job in camp. Moseley began eight video games at that spot final 12 months (together with all three playoff video games), and he has the flexibility to bounce inside towards slot receivers if the 49ers need Thomas exterior of their nickel package deal.
“E-man has accomplished a extremely nice job this complete offseason,” stated Ryans. Moseley is getting into the ultimate season of a two-year contract.
AMBRY THOMAS
A ghost early in his rookie season, the third-round decide from Michigan completed sturdy. He began the ultimate 5 video games of the common season and made an additional time interception within the playoff-clinching finale on the Rams. He hasn’t been as handsy in practices this spring.
“A.T., he earned that chance there as he saved coming by way of the season,” defensive backs coach Cory Undlin stated. “He didn’t play in 2020 (COVID opt-out at Michigan) in order that hole, it’s a very long time while you sit out a 12 months. As soon as he received up to the mark and was enjoying quick sufficient, after which to play in large video games, that was extra essential than something for his progress. We undoubtedly really feel he’s on the rise.”
DARQUEZE DENNARD
A late-season cameo rejuvenated Dennard’s profession, and he’s gotten first crack on the nickel again spot to exchange Ok’Waun Williams (Denver Broncos). That, nevertheless, doesn't assure Dennard a job, not with the bevy of younger choices studying the position nor with the flexibility others have. Dennard is enjoying strictly inside towards slot receivers.
SAM WOMACK III
A fifth-round draft select of Toledo, he’s making a cost to win that nickel again spot. Holy Toledo!
“I’m tremendous impressed together with his potential to function,” Undlin stated final month. “Hear, it’s not good, and I’m speaking extra so about method stuff. About getting lined up and figuring out what to do, he’s been on it, which has been actually spectacular.”
TARIQ CASTRO-FIELDS
A sixth-round select of Penn State, he’s prepared to be aggressive together with his 6-foot-1 body. He’s been lining up at proper cornerback, primarily on the third-string unit. How the 23-year-old rookie fares on particular groups might decide a Week 1 roster spot.
DEOMMODORE LENOIR
He’s nonetheless battling to regain stature that noticed him begin the primary two video games final season – then no extra, as he drew three pass-interference calls as a rookie. Lenoir gave up landing passes towards Nate Sudfeld in 7-on-7 red-zone work Tuesday. He’s additionally an choice at nickel again, so he’ll have to organize for inside and outdoors work. He lined up on the fitting facet Wednesday.
DONTAE JOHNSON
Sure, a ninth-year veteran deserves increased billing than this, however odds are the 49ers will ship out their younger cornerbacks earlier than him. Then once more, Johnson has performed 103 video games since debuting in 2014 with the 49ers, plus final season’s three playoff video games, one in all which he began. He had 9 special-teams tackles final season, and his versatility noticed him line up at nickel again, security and linebacker in minicamp.
KA’DAR HOLLMAN
Tuesday’s red-zone drill noticed Hollman swipe a possible Trey Lance landing cross out of Brandon Aiyuk’s grip for an interception, then Hollman had high quality protection on one other boundary play ultimately zone.
QWUANTREZZ KNIGHT
The undrafted rookie from UCLA ought to at the very least make the apply squad together with his nickel again potential. Two weeks in the past, he made the perfect play of apply by intercepting a Brock Purdy cross that deflected off working again Ty Davis-Worth.
JASON VERRETT
He may be No. 1 on this checklist, had it not been for the anterior cruciate ligament tear in his proper knee in final 12 months’s opening win at Detroit. He’s nonetheless favoring that leg and was not cleared for offseason exercises. If he’s not cleared come coaching camp, he’d be a logical candidate to open the season on the physically-unable-to-perform checklist and debut, say, Oct. 30 towards the Rams. He performed in 13 video games in 2020, and 13 in 2015 (for the Chargers), however solely 13 in his different 5 mixed seasons since 2014. He’s a sage voice and extremely revered asset. Does he have another comeback in him? Does this unit?