The San Francisco 49ers enter the 2025 season with more questions than answers in their secondary. After a significant roster overhaul this offseason—especially on the defensive side of the ball—the unit looks dramatically different from the one that Pro Football Focus (PFF) ranked No. 2 in the NFL in 2024.
Pro Football Focus analyst John Kosko recently ranked all 32 NFL secondaries heading into the 2025 season, and the 49ers' group came in at No. 23—a steep drop from last year's elite standing.
"Deommodore Lenoir remains a solid holdover and has graded well over the past two seasons, while 2024 rookie Renardo Green came on strong in the second half of the year," Kosko wrote. "With a few draft additions and free-agent signings, this group will look drastically different in 2025. How quickly the new pieces gel will determine whether the secondary can bounce back."
Lenoir and Green are projected to start at cornerback in Week 1 following Charvarius Ward's departure to the Indianapolis Colts in free agency. At safety, Jason Pinnock and Ji'Ayir Brown are expected to start after Talanoa Hufanga signed with the Denver Broncos, and as Malik Mustapha continues to recover from an ACL injury.
One of the more intriguing training camp battles will be for the third cornerback spot. The 49ers used a third-round pick on Upton Stout, who will compete for snaps with free-agent addition Tre Brown and other defensive backs.
The offseason changes weren't limited to the roster. San Francisco also made a major coaching move, replacing defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen with the return of Robert Saleh. The team hopes the reunion will help recapture its defensive identity, one defined by speed, physicality, and discipline.
While the talent is there, the success of the 49ers' secondary in 2025 may hinge on how quickly the new pieces can come together.