Each week leading up to the start of training camp, 49ers.com will assess the team's roster as we get closer to the season. In this installment of the 2024 roster breakdown, we will take a closer look at the cornerback position and address the newest additions to the unit.
Previous Installments: Quarterbacks | Offensive Line | Defensive Line
The 49ers cornerback position has undergone significant changes and additions over the offseason, setting the stage for a potentially dominant secondary. Over the offseason, the team strategically bolstered their cornerback depth by signing three experienced free agents: Chase Lucas, Isaac Yiadom, and Rock Ya-Sin. In addition to these acquisitions, the 49ers invested in young talent through the draft by selecting Renardo Green out of Florida State University in the second round.
Leading the CB group is Charvarius Ward, who has established himself as a cornerstone of San Francisco's defense. After leading the league in passes defended last season and earning Pro Bowl and AP Second-Team All-Pro recognition, Ward positions himself as a crucial asset in the 49ers secondary. Pro Football Focus has also recognized Ward as one of the top-three cornerbacks in the NFL heading into the 2024 season:
"Ward deserves more praise as one of the league's best corners" John Kosko wrote. "He has locked down receivers in coverage since arriving in the Bay Area."
Alongside Ward, returning cornerbacks Kemon Hall, Darrell Luter Jr., Ambry Thomas, and Samuel Womack III bring depth and continuity to the unit.
"We ask a lot of our corners," defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen said. "Everyone has got to be able to tackle, run and hit, be physical, be violent."
Position Breakdown
- Renardo Green – 1st Season
- Kemon Hall – 6th Season
- Chase Lucas – 3rd Season
- Darrell Luter Jr. – 2nd Season
- Ambry Thomas – 4th Season
- Charvarius Ward – 7th Season
- Samuel Womack III – 3rd Season
- Rock Ya-Sin – 6th Season
- Isaac Yiadom – 7th Season
Cornerbacks Breakdown
The 49ers selected Green in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft from Florida State University. Throughout his entire collegiate career, Green played in a total of 52 games and recorded 143 tackles (6.5 for loss), 22 passes defended, an interception and a forced fumble.
In 2023, he notched 13 pass breakups, which led the ACC and ranked 10th in all of college football. From his performance, Green was awarded a Phil Steele All-American honorable mention, was a Thorpe Award semifinalist, earned the Don Powell Award and was named to the All-ACC second-team.
"The defense is built off dogs and I fit in good," Green said after being drafted. "It's just an amazing feeling to come out there. I watch that defense and the way they play and knowing that I can be a part of that, I can come in and help contribute, it just means a lot to me."
Hall is entering his sixth season in the NFL, and his second season with the 49ers. The cornerback originally entered the NFL by signing with the Los Angeles Chargers as an undrafted free agent in 2019.
Hall joined the 49ers practice squad during the 2023 season and saw his most action as a regular-season contributor from 2021-22 with the Chargers. In those two seasons, he played in 18 games, notching eight tackles, one QB hit and one fumble recovery.
Lucas is entering his third year in the NFL after being drafted in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions.
With the Lions, Lucas appeared in 18 games and registered two tackles. The cornerback joined the 49ers over the 2024 offseason free agency period.
Luter Jr. was the first of two fifth-round draft picks selected by the 49ers in the 2023 NFL Draft. He enters his second season in the NFL this year.
Luter Jr. started the 2023 season on the physically unable to perform list due to a hyperextended knee he suffered in the offseason. Later on in the season, he went on to appear in 10 games (including playoffs) recording a total of nine tackles.
"(Luter Jr.) is big, he's got length and he's learning to use that," Sorensen said. "He's a competitive guy. He is really smart. He's a guy that really, really, really cares. So seeing him progress and utilize his size and his length and then his brain and how he sees things, he's progressed the right way and just can't wait to see him when he comes back (from the offseason)."
Thomas is entering his fourth season with the 49ers. He was selected by the team in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
Throughout his first three years in the league, Thomas has appeared in 45 games and notched 12 passes defended, two interceptions, 90 total tackles and a tackle for loss (including postseason).
Ward is entering his seventh year in the NFL, and his third with the 49ers. He arrived to The Bay in 2022 as a prized free agent from the Kansas City Chiefs.
Throughout his six-year NFL career, Ward has notched 63 passes defended, 10 interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), three forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, 1.0 sack, 381 tackles (eight for loss) and three QB hits. Last season, Ward led the league in passes defended (23), earned his first Pro Bowl nod and was named AP Second-Team All-Pro.
"I think it gets overlooked that (Ward) is a tough player as far as how he tackles," Sorensen said. "He's a really good tackler, which is essential in our defense... It was just good to see how he got some recognition this year, and how he got a little bit more production on his PBUs and his interceptions. And I think he just keeps taking those steps as he matures and becomes that leader. He's just internally motivated and the group that he's around, I think all those guys motivate each other and can't wait to get him back."
Womack III is entering his third season with the 49ers after being selected by the team in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
Throughout his two years with San Francisco, Womack III has made 26 game appearances and recorded 31 tackles (one for loss), one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, two passes defended and an interception (including postseason).
Ya-Sin is entering his sixth year in the NFL, and his first with the 49ers. The cornerback was originally drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft.
In Ya-Sin's five-year NFL career with the Colts (2019-21), Las Vegas Raiders (2022) and Baltimore Ravens (2023), he has appeared in 66 games (40 starts) and registered 193 tackles, 29 passes defended, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. Ya-Sin joined the 49ers during the 2024 offseason free agency period.
Yiadom is entering his seventh year in the NFL, and his first with the 49ers. The cornerback was originally drafted by the Denver Broncos in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft.
Throughout Yiadom's six-year career with the Broncos (2018-19), New York Giants (2020), Green Bay Packers (2021), Houston Texans (2022) and New Orleans Saints (2022-23), he has appeared in 87 games (28 starts) and registered 138 tackles, 0.5 sack, two interceptions, 26 passes defended, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. Yiadom joined the 49ers during the 2024 offseason free agency period.
"(Yiadom) is kind of self-made, like he works," Sorensen said. "He's very serious. I think when he came to sign, he actually like went and got a workout after he signed. I've never seen that, but that's him. I think that's what's kind of shown up with who he is and he's very meticulous and the stuff that showed up later in the year with him and how he competed against a lot of really good receivers. I think it's been awesome that we're seeing that now too. He's very technical. He's very strong. I think he's a guy that's also, like we talk about Mooney being strong and a tackler, he's got that in his history as well. He's a tough guy. He's physical. He plays with his hands. He's violent. He communicates. He sees things before they happen and that stuff has shown up."
