49ers' Deommodore Lenoir lands outside top 20 in PFF cornerback rankings

Deommodore Lenoir may view himself as one of the NFL's top cornerbacks, and the San Francisco 49ers clearly believe in his potential. The team recently signed him to a five-year contract extension, signaling that they see him as a foundational piece of their defense. However, Pro Football Focus (PFF) analyst John Kosko doesn't rank him nearly as high.

Lenoir landed at No. 23 on Kosko's latest cornerback rankings.

"Lenoir's first two NFL seasons yielded sub-60.0 PFF coverage grades," Kosko wrote, "but his 2023 season represented a leap in performance to a 74.2 PFF coverage mark and a ninth-ranked PFF advanced coverage grade. His two-year PFF advanced coverage grade ranks ninth among cornerbacks."

While Lenoir's overall defensive grade dipped from 75.8 in 2023 to 67.3 in 2024, his coverage grade remained strong at 71.7. He allowed a passer rating of just 72.6 when targeted and didn't give up a single touchdown in coverage last season.

The 25-year-old cornerback also posted a career-high 85 tackles last season, adding two interceptions, nine passes defensed, and one forced fumble. With youth still on his side, Lenoir has the opportunity to rise even higher in future rankings with a strong 2025 campaign.

Lenoir and second-year player Renardo Green are expected to be the 49ers' top cornerback options, while third-round draft pick Upton Stout (Western Kentucky) and veteran Tre Brown might provide competition. The battle at cornerback could be one of the more intriguing storylines during the 49ers' training camp.