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.
Related News
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
49ers' Kyle Shanahan falls just short of AP's top 3 NFL head coaches
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan is widely regarded as one of the NFL's brightest offensive minds. His performance last season—leading an injury-riddled roster to a 12-win campaign and a playoff berth—only strengthened that reputation. However, it wasn't enough... -
49ers' Mike Evans left off ESPN's top-10 wide receiver rankings
The San Francisco 49ers signed veteran wide receiver Mike Evans this offseason as part of a major overhaul of their receiving corps. The hope is that the six-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion can elevate the offense while giving quarterback Brock Purdy a dependable... -
49ers' Brock Purdy left out of ESPN's top-10 quarterback rankings
The debate over where San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy ranks among the NFL's elite continues. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler continued his annual NFL position rankings this week, unveiling his list of the league's top quarterbacks. The rankings are based on feedback from NFL... -
49ers top 5 most intriguing training camp storylines
Training camp for the San Francisco 49ers is right around the corner. The rookies report next Saturday, July 18, while the veterans come to camp the following Saturday, July 25. With all due respect to the Yuletide season, football fans will tell you this is "the most wonderful...