There was a time in which the San Francisco 49ers secondary was the weakness of the team, especially the corners. But not anymore. With the addition of Charvarius Ward in 2022, and the emergence of players like Deommodore Lenoir, Talanoa Hufanga, and Ji'Ayir Brown, the 49ers are in good shape in the defensive backfield. And it might stay that way for a while.
Recently, PFF (Pro Football Focus) raked the top defensive backfields in the NFL. They ranked the 49ers at number two, behind the New York Jets secondary. PFF had already ranked the 49ers linebacker group number two (second to the Jets) and ranked the 49ers defensive line second in the league (behind, you guessed it, the Jets).
1. Jets
32. ?Ranking all 32 NFL secondaries ⬇️https://t.co/517wo7Gwyp
— PFF (@PFF) July 2, 2024
Here's what John Kosko, of PFF, wrote about the 49ers' secondary:
"The 49ers secondary doesn't boast household names, but the team consistently puts together a unit that makes life difficult for opposing quarterbacks and receivers. The group is led by Charvarius Ward, who put up an 86.5 coverage grade in 2023. The Niners also added Isaac Yiadom (80.4) to man the slot and selected a couple of players in the draft to generate good depth in the room."
Ward is a true number-one corner. He was at his best last season when coaches lined him up against the other team's best wide receiver. Lenoir wasn't mentioned by PFF, but he has become one of the defense's best players. It will be interesting to see how Yiadom plays with the 49ers. He was really good in 2023 with the New Orleans Saints, after becoming a starter. Many see him as the 49ers' new nickel corner, covering opponents' slot receivers. And while that may be the case in the early weeks of the season, some project rookie CB Renardo Green to take over that spot, or perhaps play on the outside in nickel situations, leaving Lenoir to play inside.
Regardless of how things shake out, this is the most talented secondary the 49ers have had in a while. And it's their deepest, with players like Rock Ya-Sin joining the group. The 49ers are also high on second-year corner Darrell Luter, Jr.
The biggest question marks surrounding the 49ers' secondary is whether they will be able to keep Ward and Lenoir beyond this season, as well as the health of Hufanga, who tore his ACL late last season. How well Hufanga plays when he returns will have an impact on the team's defense. Brown is a solid second-year player, and many believe the 49ers found a good safety in Malik Mustapha. But they need Hufanga healthy if they plan to be at their best.