LAS VEGAS – Deommodore Lenoir has proven to be one of the best nickel corners in the NFL.
However, he had no prior experience of playing the position. Yes, it is still a cornerback responsibility, but playing nickel/slot corner as opposed to outside is completely different. There is more on the plate of a slot corner versus an outside one and physicality is a non-negotiable trait to have there.
Lenoir was exclusively an outside cornerback in college at the University of Oregon. It's what the 49ers drafted him for. To be on the outside. But in 2022, the 49ers needed someone to hold it down in the slot. K'Waun Williams, who had been a staple on the 49ers' defense, left in the offseason to join the Broncos. That is when the 49ers looked to Lenoir, a player with no experience in the slot. However, his experience was moot to the 49ers because they knew he could do it and excel from the jump.
"You look at his movement skills, he was always quick twitch," said defensive backs coach Daniel Bullocks. "When we got him here, I remember one on ones during his rookie minicamp you could see the twitch that he got, his change of direction, he was sticky on all the in-breaking routes, he was so connected like 'Man, this dude can play inside' versus a guy who's got long length outside that is more of a long strider... With Demo, he's good at all three levels... He can play press, he can play off, he can play catch, and just seeing that from his movement skills like 'Aw man, this guy can go inside.'"
The physical abilities of Lenoir proved fitting for a slot cornerback. There is just so much to account for with different routes that having that "twitch" is crucial. But physical skills aren't enough there. It is just one half of what makes a nickel corner excel. The other half is the mindset, and without that, no player will find themselves playing at a high level at the position.
"You've got to have the right mindset to go inside," said Bullocks. "It's just like a corner moving to linebacker. Do you really want to hit someone? Do you really want to tackle? Demo's mindset: he's violent, he's physical, he's got the right mindset, and it starts off there."
Lenoir has become an anchor on the 49ers' defense. Slot corner has always been a pivotal position for the way they structure their defense. Basically, Lenoir is half linebacker, half cornerback now. His transition is nothing short of impressive, but that doesn't happen if the 49ers didn't see it in him to push that first domino. They knew it all along and now they are all reaping the benefits of it.
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