49ers News: Isaac Yiadom Named Starting Nickel Back Instead of Renardo Green

The San Francisco 49ers had a mini-competition at cornerback this training camp. Charvarius Ward, an All-Pro, and rising star Deommodore Lenoir were assured of the top two spots, but there was a chance someone would take over the nickel cornerback position.

On Friday, defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen was asked how he envisions lining up in the nickel with his linebackers and who the three cornerbacks will be. Here’s what he had to say:

“Well, like we started with Ike (Isaac Yiadom) and D-Mo and Mooney. And then we would rotate guys and do a lot of replays with them. But that’s how it is now, with Renardo (Green) rotating.”

Yiadom has been in the NFL since 2018. He has experience and is fresh off a stellar season with the New Orleans Saints. Yiadom has allowed just three touchdowns on 50 targets in 2023, per Next Gen Stats, while completing 48 percent of his passes. His catch-above-expected rate was -6.6 percent, while his coverage EPA was -5.8, the highest numbers for any cornerback.

Sorensen said Green will continue to cross-train at Nickel and outside:

“Yeah, we cross-trained him. He’d jump and however we needed him to, however many reps he got. However he feels in each position, we just give him more reps in those positions. That’s what happened with him. Whatever he needs, we give him, so he’s prepared in both positions because he has to be.”

There’s no need to rush Green and throw him into the lineup. That’s why you go out and get a veteran like Yiadom.

As for safety Talanoa Hufanga, Sorensen said he looks good:

“It was great to see him. He looks good. When I see him out there and moving, a lot of it is just part of the process. You know, it was just another step. Like everyone, there are these markers and benchmarks that everyone has to hit. There’s a specific plan for these guys. I think he’s just hitting that next one.

Seeing him out there and trying to watch him specifically in his individual and some of the reps he’s doing, he looks good. It’s about how he feels, is he hitting those percentages that he needs to hit with strength (and conditioning team), all those tests that they’re doing.

It’s encouraging to hear about Hufanga, but he doesn’t sound like he’s met enough of the criteria to be available Monday night, and that’s OK. He’s a player the 49ers should be cautious with and make sure he’s 120 percent healthy when he steps onto the field.