Kyle Shanahan on 49ers CB battle: ‘I’ve been impressed by everyone’ two days into OTAs

The 49ers cornerback battle seems to be heating up early in OTAs.

The San Francisco 49ers looked to bolster their secondary this offseason, adding several cornerbacks, both in free agency and the draft, to complement starters Charvarius Ward and Deommodore Lenoir.

In free agency, San Francisco added Isaac Yiadom, Chase Lucas, and Rock Ya-Sin, while the team drafted Florida State cornerback Renardo Green with the No. 64 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

They join the two starters, as well as Ambry Thomas, Samuel Womack, and Darrell Luter in a strong cornerback competition that began this week with organized team activities (OTAs).

What have been the first impressions of the room during this phase of the offseason?

“It’s just two days of practice, so I’m not gonna crown anyone yet, but I’ve been impressed with everyone, really, everyone in these first two phases, one and two,” head coach Kyle Shanahan said of the cornerbacks on Tuesday.

“Just the attention to detail, the technique, reviewing cut-ups from last year, and then trying to carry it over into these two practices. And we did a lot more three deep yesterday, mixing more two shells today, and watching the guys who are new pick it up and getting right in, like with the standard how we do things.”

However, not only have the new guys impressed, but the incumbents have also looked solid this offseason, leading to what should be a tight position battle that carries over into training camp.

“And also, the guys who have been here, you know, taking a step forward and [showing] what they tried to work on [in the] offseason,” Shanahan said.

Last season, the 49ers fostered a strong cornerback duo with Ward and Lenoir, but saw their fair share of inconsistencies with the No. 3 spot, with Ambry Thomas and Isaiah Oliver rotating at the position.

This year, however, the 49ers looked to add several players at the position with hopes of fielding a strong trio, with Lenoir’s versatility allowing the team to find the play three in the group.

Early reports indicated that the 49ers are trying Renardo Green on the inside at nickel, while top free agent Isaac Yiadom has been working on the outside at cornerback.

We’ll see how San Francisco mixes and matches their options as the offseason goes along, but the cornerback position should certainly be one to watch as the practices continue.