When cornerback Emmanuel Moseley signed his first multi-million NFL contract with the San Francisco 49ers on March 15, he accomplished a goal few people ever thought he'd attain.
Moseley himself may have had confidence that he'd one day get to that point, but some on the outside might not have been so sure. Moseley was a lesser-known prospect coming out of Dudley High School in Greensboro, North Carolina in 2014, ranking 880th overall nationally and 61st overall at cornerback in the 247Sports Composite ratings. As a smaller high school cornerback at 6' 0", 160 lbs, who also played the quarterback position, Moseley didn't have the long list of scholarship offers that some of the higher-ranking college prospects may have had. But, eventually, he landed one from a traditional football power in the University of Tennessee -- an opportunity he decided to choose over scholarship offers from in-state schools such as NC State, East Carolina, Charlotte, and North Carolina A&T.
That decision turned out to be the right one, as Moseley went on to start 31 games at Tennessee and totaled 141 tackles, two interceptions, and 29 passes defensed. But, unfortunately, Moseley wound up getting overlooked yet again at the end of his college career when he was passed over by every team in the NFL Draft.
The San Francisco 49ers came calling after the draft and were able to sign Moseley to a contract as an undrafted free agent. After spending time on the 49ers practice squad during the regular season, Moseley made his NFL debut in a November 1 34-3 Thursday night win over the Oakland Raiders, but saw his season come to an end later that evening when he suffered a separated shoulder. Moseley bounced back from the injury in 2019, when he played in all 16 games and made nine starts with 50 tackles, eight passes defensed, and one interception.
Moseley played well enough in 2019 to put himself in a position to make a similar impact for the 49ers in 2020. He played in 12 games last season, starting eight, and racked up 47 tackles and one interception. Moseley then headed into the 2021 offseason as a pending restricted free agent, but the 49ers decided they had seen enough to give him a bigger contract than the one-year deal he would have received under his restricted status. So, on March 15, the 49ers and Moseley came to terms on a two-year deal worth as much as $10.1 million.
And given the path he traveled to get there, Moseley understandably felt a great sense of satisfaction when he was able to sign his new contract.
"It's very satisfying for sure," Moseley told reporters during a media session Thursday. "For a kid from Greensboro, North Carolina, I got overlooked even going into college. Everyone talked about my weight, about how small I was, I couldn't fit in college. Then I went to college and did what I had to do to one day make it to the league. Unfortunately, I didn't get drafted, but it only motivated me more. And I'm just so blessed to even be here talking about a contract."
In addition to his performance on the field, Moseley probably impressed the 49ers with the level of toughness he brings to his game. Moseley credits his father with helping him to develop that attribute, which has undoubtedly played a big role in him finding a place in the NFL.
"I would definitely say my dad, growing up the way I was raised, he always taught me to be tough, and I've just been like that ever since I was younger," Moseley said. "I wasn't always the biggest kid, but I always had the heart."
Moseley's contract assures he'll have a significant role in the 49ers' secondary in the near future, although it remains to be seen exactly what that role will be. He hasn't been given any assurances he'll start at cornerback this season or beyond, nor does he know for sure what scheme he'll be a part of under new defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans.
"I'm going to go out there, and whatever the coach asks me to do, I'm going to do," Moseley said.
But whatever role he plays, it's safe to assume Moseley won't be taking it easy now that he's earned some financial security. His goal from here is to continue to grow and to do what he needs to do to help the 49ers win some trophies.
"Just to continue to get better every day -- get one percent better every day," Moseley said. "To not be complacent at all. Complacency is not a place in this place. So just get better every day and try to win a championship."
Give an assist to Richard Sherman and Jason Verrett
Moseley has had some positive role models since joining the NFL, in particular, fellow cornerbacks Richard Sherman and Jason Verrett. Both veterans have helped Moseley learn some valuable lessons, starting with Sherman, who provided guidance to Moseley over each of the past three seasons. Sherman was instrumental in giving Moseley confidence before his first NFL start, which came against wide receiver Odell Beckham and the Cleveland Browns in Week 5 of the 2019 season.
"[Sherman] did a great job of talking me up going into the game," Moseley said. "We watched film. He put me on certain keys. So I was definitely confident going into the game, but that definitely did help me jumpstart my career for sure."
Sherman is expected to leave the 49ers in free agency in the days ahead, but his impact on Moseley's career will continue to be felt.
"I learned a lot from him, in the film room, on the field, and just as a guy, you know," Moseley said. "What he would tell me is just be yourself. Don't try to be him, just be myself."
Moseley has played two seasons with Verrett, who joined the 49ers as a free agent in 2019. Verrett quickly rubbed off on Moseley as a film grinder, a habit Moseley quickly decided to pick up himself.
"In college you watch film, but it's not as detailed," Moseley said. "So when you get on this level and you see guys really homing into that and watching hours and hours and hours of film, you really start to see how important it is. When you see it translate to the field it makes you want to jump on board. So when I saw Verrett doing that, it only makes me want to do it even more."
Unlike Sherman, Verrett will remain Moseley's teammate this season after signing a new one-year deal with the 49ers early this week. Health issues kept Verrett sidelined for much of 2019, but he stayed mostly healthy in 2020 and was able to move into the starting lineup. Verrett and Moseley may well wind up as starters again this season and could prove to be better as a tandem than they were last year.
"This will be our second year playing across from each other, so that's big, just getting that connection," Moseley said. "Jason brings a lot to this defense and I feel I can bring a lot to this defense. So that'll be good going forward."