With NFL offseason programs wrapped up and training camps still weeks away, it's prime time for rankings and predictions to fill the news cycle. Bleacher Report's Moe Moton took advantage of the lull by ranking the top 10 cornerback duos heading into the 2025 season, and the San Francisco 49ers earned a respectable No. 9 spot on the list.
That ranking may come as a surprise to some fans and analysts, given the offseason chatter of uncertainty following the departure of starting cornerback Charvarius Ward. However, Moton expressed confidence in the 49ers' new-look duo of Deommodore Lenoir and Renardo Green.
"In four seasons, Lenoir has taken a notable number of snaps in the slot and on the boundary," Moton explained. "He's tracked the ball well in both roles, recording 19 pass breakups and five interceptions over the last two seasons.
"In addition, every year, the 25-year-old has allowed a lower passer rating when targeted in coverage. The former fifth-rounder from the 2021 draft is one of the league's most underrated cornerbacks."
San Francisco selected Green in the second round of last year's draft, and he stepped up in a significant way during his rookie season. Green logged 675 defensive snaps and posted a strong 74.3 coverage grade from Pro Football Focus—matching Lenoir's career-best mark from 2023.
"Midway through the 2024 season, Green took over a starting role," Moton noted. "As a rookie, he made a strong initial impression. He finished with a team-leading 13 pass breakups and an interception.
"With a full season in a starting role, the Florida State product, 24, has the potential to post Pro Bowl numbers under experienced defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, who returns to San Francisco for his second play-calling stint."
While question marks surround the 49ers' secondary this offseason, Moton's analysis suggests that the young, ascending duo of Lenoir and Green may not only hold their own—but thrive—in 2025.
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