The 49ers’ defense will be the biggest question mark surrounding the team heading into next season. I have gone into detail analyzing the front seven personnel of the team, here I will go into detail assessing the secondary of the team as the 2026 season approaches.
Set to start at the first of the two cornerback spots is Deommodore Lenoir who is a solid player. Lenoir has shown a high ceiling in the NFL but unfortunately struggles to stay consistent. In five seasons in the NFL, Lenoir has graded in the above average range twice, thus showing his capabilities but indicating inconsistencies. Perhaps new defensive coordinator Raheem Morris could reign him in and get him to play at at his best.
A similar narrative can be written for safety Ji’Ayir Brown who has shown a borderline elite ceiling as a former third round pick, but who has lacked consistency. Brown had an amazing rookie season albeit in limited snaps ranking in the top 15% among players at his position despite being a rookie. Given his high draft standing and his tremendous play as a rookie, Brown was in line to become a star in the NFL. However, Brown regressed in year 2 grading exactly average among players at his position while again regressing in year 3 grading below average in that regard. However, Brown was still drafted highly and was in line to be a star after his rookie season and perhaps new defensive coordinator Raheem Morris could get the best out of him.
Set to start at the other safety spot is 2024 fourth rounder Malik Mustapha who has looked very average thus far in his career and may be better suited as a backup. In both seasons that Mustapha has played in he has graded in the middle of the pack among players at his position. Perhaps as he heads into year 3 in the NFL, new defensive coordinator Raheem Morris can get the best out of him. But as of now, Mustapha is likely better suited in a reserve role.
2024 second round pick Renardo Green is set to start at the other primary cornerback spot for the 49ers as of now. Green being drafted so highly had a very strong rookie season and was in line to become a star in the NFL. However, Green regressed badly in year 2 in the NFL, and it remains to be seen if he can build off his rookie season. Perhaps Green can come into his own under new defensive coordinator Raheem Morris.
2025 third rounder Upton Stout rounds out the starting secondary for the 49ers and had a solid rookie campaign ranking exactly average in terms of an overall defense grade among players at his position according to Pro Football Focus which is no small feat to do as a rookie. Given his high draft selection and his strong play as a rookie, Stout will be in line to become a very good if not a great player in the backend for the 49ers.
From a depth standpoint in the secondary the 49ers have multiple noteworthy names who could provide the team with strong depth and/or transition to a starting role. Former fourth round cornerback Jack Jones has looked borderline elite in the NFL from time to time but struggles with consistency playing at a well below average clip at times as well. With the same exact narrative existing for cornerback Nate Hobbs who has also looked elite at times but has been below average with regularity as well. The 49ers have a talented secondary that will likely be above average but probably not elite, a breakdown of the 49ers’ secondary can be found below.
Starters
LCB – Deommodore Lenoir – C+ to B-, high ceiling but inconsistent, above average half the time, below average half the time
SS – Ji’Ayir Brown – C+ to B-, 3rd round pick in 2023, elite rookie season but has consistently regressed since
FS – Malik Mustapha – C+ to B-, average player without much of an upside but without pitfalls, could show upside under Raheem Morris
RCB – Renardo Green – C+ to B-, 2nd round pick in 2024, very strong rookie season, sophomore slump, could breakout in year 3
NB – Upton Stout – 3rd round pick in 2025, solid rookie season, in line to breakout in year 2
Noteworthy Reserves
CB – Jack Jones – C+ to B-, borderline elite ceiling but far too inconsistent
CB – Nate Hobbs – C+ to B-, borderline elite ceiling but far too inconsistent
