You can’t read a training camp report about the San Francisco 49ers without the first or second sentence involving second-year pro Ricky Pearsall. By all accounts, Pearsall is thriving in practice as he continues to build rapport with quarterback Brock Purdy.
However, Pearsall isn’t the most important player from the Niners’ 2024 draft class. That would be cornerback Renardo Green, who has an opportunity to be a critical piece in a defense in search of a top cornerback. Deommodore Lenoir is likely shifting to a “new” role where he’ll live on the perimeter instead of primarily playing in the nickel — you can thank the emergence of Upton Stout for that.
ESPN’s Benjamin Solak highlighted how productive Green was as a rookie:
With Charvarius Ward leaving in free agency for Indianapolis, Green has become the primary outside corner. But it appears long-time slot man Deommodore Lenoir will spend a significant portion of his snaps outside this season, so perhaps Green will remain CB2 functionally. Suffice to say, Green is in for a leap in responsibility, as Ward leaves behind big shoes to fill in San Francisco’s defense.
Among the rookie corners last season, Green made the most plays on the ball. His 19.7% hawk rate led the class; his 5.7 yards per target allowed was beaten by only Cam Hart and Cooper DeJean. Forget rookies — among all corners with at least 200 coverage snaps last season, Green was 15th in yards per target allowed and eighth in hawk rate.
Green was on the leaderboard in pass breakups last season. He had as many as Jaycee Horn from the Carolina Panthers, who was selected to the Pro Bowl and just earned a $100 million contract.
Having a potential lockdown cornerback like Green allows defensive coordinator Robert Saleh to be creative with sub-packages, blitzes, and coverages. If Lenoir takes time getting used to playing on the outside, Saleh could roll coverages his way and allow Green to play on an island.
Green went multiple games last season without allowing a single yard. The most receiving yards he allowed in a game was 61, and that’s because he allowed a 20-yarder to Jaxon Smith-Njigba. All in all, Green was as lights out as you could ask a rookie to be, considering the position he was put in.
Solak used some football jargon to explain why Green made so many plays last season:
Green made so many plays on the ball because he is preposterously quick. When he clicks, he eats up space with astonishing acceleration, and he regularly condenses windows that quarterbacks thought were inaccessible for a flat-footed zone corner.
Green was comfortable playing off coverage or in zone. You’d expect a fifth-year senior to be competent in multiple coverages, but Green was closer to proficient. His health is imperative to the success of the Niners’ defense, which is why Solak was wise to list Green.
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