Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
How Do the 49ers Replace Injured Cornerback Emmanuel Moseley?
Videos are auto-populated by an affiliate. This site has no control over the videos that appear above.
Cornerback Emmanuel Moseley has been playing some really good football this season. He took over the starting corner role in Week 3. Since then, he has been the 49ers' best corner. He's actually been a player who hasn't been talked about enough, and his play this season has been underrated. Moseley has given up just a 56% completion percentage, has defended 10 passes, and has not allowed a touchdown on 51 targets, according to Pro Football Reference.
He was playing good ball to start the game against the Seattle Seahawks, even forcing an incomplete deep pass to wide receiver DK Metcalf. Once he went down, quarterback
Russell Wilson targeted his replacement, rookie corner
Deommodore Lenoir. Lenoir immediately gave up a deep ball to Metcalf, was called for pass interference, and gave up a touchdown. Lenoir was eventually replaced by Dontae Johnson, who played better. Now, how do the 49ers replace Moseley's play for a few weeks while trying to make the playoffs?
They better find a replacement fast because they play the Cincinnati Bengals this week, who have quarterback Joe Burrow and some good weapons at wide receiver in Tee Higgins and Ja'Marr Chase. Those are tough receivers to cover for a healthy secondary, much less a banged-up one with rookies as back-ups. The 49ers head coach, Kyle Shanahan, has said cornerback Johnson has a chance to start this week.
It's okay, Faithful. Breathe. 49er fans might be stressing out knowing the history of Johnson, and his less than stellar play. While its likely they will replace Moseley with Johnson, it might be good to see what rookie corner
Ambry Thomas can do. The 49ers selected him in the third round of the 2021 draft. Why draft someone that can't contribute? If there was ever a time to play him, it's now. They'll be looking for cornerback help this offseason, in free agency and the draft, so they should see if the guy they drafted is serviceable and if he fits their plans for the future at corner.
To help these corners, they can change the scheme up a bit and throw more Cover 2 looks at opposing offenses to allow their rookie corners and Johnson to defend the shorter passes while having some help over the top. Also, mixing in Cover 4 to prevent deep balls could be part of the plan. This approach would be an example of the defense bending but not breaking. Offering defensive support for the rookies will lead to more success than leaving them on an island with good receivers. Making sure the safeties are getting over the top is vital.
The 49ers will try to replace Moseley with Johnson. If that plan doesn't work, it'll be one of the rookies—Thomas or Lenoir. If Thomas can get reps and looks good, that'll be huge for the 49ers. For now, San Francisco will use the next-man-up/group effort approach.
Good luck to whoever is playing for Moseley! Burrow will target you early and often Sunday. So clench your fist and fight back!
For more 49ers-related content, follow me on Twitter @Marco_mart1205
The opinions within this article are those of the writer and, while just as important, are not necessarily those of the site as a whole.
Facebook Comments
More San Francisco 49ers News
PFF high on this cornerback for 49ers in mock draft
Analyst Dane Brugler of The Athletic grades former Iowa State cornerback T.J. Tampa as a second or third-round draft pick and ranks him 55th overall on his big board. Pro Football Focus, however, holds a higher opinion of the young defensive back. In his latest mock draft, the site's lead analyst, Sam Monson, has the San Francisco 49ers selecting Tampa with the No. 31 overall pick.
"T.J. Tampa fits the prototype of a 49ers cornerback," Monson explains. "He has had consecutive seasons of very impressive play and allowed just 240 yards on 49 targets last season. The team doesn't necessarily need him to make an immediate impact, but they could
49ers sign WR Trent Taylor, reuniting with former draft pick
The San Francisco 49ers announced the signing of wide receiver Trent Taylor to a one-year deal, reuniting with the team's former fifth-round draft pick out of Louisiana Tech.
Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area was the first to report that the 49ers were discussing a potential reunion with Taylor. The receiver was part of head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch's first draft class in 2017 and spent his first four NFL seasons with the team.
The #49ers are talking with free-agent slot receiver/return man
Draft Watch: Western Kentucky WR Malachi Corley visiting 49ers on Wednesday
The San Francisco 49ers are hosting several draft prospects this week as the deadline for pre-draft visits draws near. According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC2, the team will host former Western Kentucky wide receiver Malachi Corley on Wednesday.
Corley is expected to be a Day 2 pick. San Francisco owns two selections on Day 2—the No. 63 overall pick in the second round and the No. 94 overall pick in the third round. Currently, the receiver is visiting with the Seattle Seahawks.
Western Kentucky @WKUFootball receiver Malachi Worley
Rapoport: 49ers send clear message to teams inquiring about Brandon Aiyuk
Ian Rapoport didn't offer much of an update on the ongoing contract negotiations between the San Francisco 49ers and their standout wide receiver, Brandon Aiyuk. However, the NFL insider emphasized one thing: The team is not entertaining trade discussions at this juncture.
Reacting to Aiyuk's decision to unfollow the 49ers on Instagram, Rapoport couldn't help but chuckle at the latest development. This practice has become commonplace among players who are unhappy with their contract situations. Wide receiver Deebo Samuel similarly took this action in 2022 before requesting to be traded just before the draft.
Things have yet to escalate that far with Aiyuk, but Rapoport sees his
