49ers' Deommodore Lenoir challenges PFF ranking, eyes bigger role

With Charvarius Ward no longer in San Francisco, Deommodore Lenoir is stepping into the spotlight as the 49ers' top cornerback. He's embracing the challenge, not just as a top cover man, but as a vocal leader for a young and evolving secondary.

"I feel like I'd have to take that leadership role on and be the spokesman for the group, or just be that vocal person whenever something is going wrong or something needs to be said," Lenoir said Wednesday on Bay Area radio station 95.7 The Game.

Lenoir isn't short on confidence. He's prepared to line up against the league's best receivers each week. In the past, fans enjoyed watching his matchups against DK Metcalf twice a season. Now that the former Seattle Seahawks receiver is no longer in the division, who does Lenoir look forward to facing?

"I don't really got no guys circled," Lenoir replied. "I think they should have me circled."

Lenoir is not a fan of his PFF ranking

The fourth-year cornerback also responded to his No. 23 ranking on Pro Football Focus' (PFF) list of top cornerbacks. Unsurprisingly, he had a strong opinion regarding his placement.

"It was funny," Lenoir said. "I mean, to say that, when I ain't gave up a touchdown in three years, it's crazy."

According to PFF data, Lenoir did not allow a touchdown in 2024 but was credited with giving up one score in each of the previous two regular seasons (2022, 2023).

Still, Lenoir says the numbers don't define him.

"But the rankings really don't matter to me because I was drafted in the fifth round, so I was already ranked lower than everybody," Lenoir said. "So, that really don't matter. It's just about who show up on Sunday, and I'm betting on myself again that I'm gonna show up every Sunday.

"And we gonna revisit this 23rd ranking or whatever they said, and we just gonna see who gets the last laugh."

As for where he would rank himself?

"One, no doubt," Lenoir stated confidently.

With a growing role on the 49ers defense, Lenoir is set to prove that he belongs in the conversation among the NFL's elite corners.

You can listen to Lenoir's entire interview below.