Ranking most important 49ers in 2025: No. 7 is emerging cornerback

The 49ers defense can't survive without this player.

Dec 12, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers cornerback Deommodore Lenoir (2) is introduced before the start of the game against the Los Angeles Rams at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images | Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images

Deommodore Lenoir has been a gem of a fifth-round pick. Now, he is just 25 years old, he is entering his fourth season as a starter, and he is signed with the San Francisco 49ers for the long term. They are leaning on him, and he is our seventh most important player this season. 

Ranking most important 49ers in 2025: No. 7 Deommodore Lenoir

Lenoir would be the 49ers top outside cornerback and their top slot cornerback, the question is more about where he will play. Lenoir has 1,799 career outside snaps and 1,579 snaps as a slot player over the course of his career. He played primarily outside for the first two and a half years of his career, but started to shift into the slot halfway through 2023. By 2024, he was their starter in the slot. 

Lenoir has played his best football in the slot, but all indications are that he will be on the outside again this year. This speaks to the reality that the 49ers trust him to be their top cornerback, regardless of where he is. 

Nov 17, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers linebacker Fred Warner (54) calms down San Francisco 49ers cornerback Deommodore Lenoir (2) after offsetting penalties against the Seattle Seahawks in the second quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Gonzales-Imagn Images | David Gonzales-Imagn Images

Still, the team seems to be high on rookie Upton Stout and his best role would be the slot. With Lenoir on the outside, it also makes life easier for second-year cornerback Renardo Green, who may always be best as a number two. 

Lenoir is 25 years old and just signed a contract extension with the team. He is now one of the core pieces of the roster moving forward. Wherever he lines up, the team is expecting him to lead the secondary. That puts him clearly as the number seven most important 49er.

Updated Rankings Through No. 7

8. Brandon Aiyuk 

9. Mykel Williams 

10. Kyle Juszcyzk 

11. Ricky Pearsall

12. Jauan Jennings

13. Dominick Puni

14. Renardo Green 

15. Colton McKivitz

16. Yetur Gross-Matos 

17. Alfred Collins

18. Malik Mustapha

19. Jordan Elliott

20. Blake Brendel

21. Dee Winters

22. Bryce Huff

23. CJ West 

24. Kevin Givens

25. Ji’Ayir Brown

26. Tre Brown

27. Upton Stout

28. Jason Pinnock

29. Ben Bartch

30. Spencer Burford