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Lenoir will have competition this season, but his impact during the past couple of seasons should not be ignored

In 2023, Deommodore Lenoir proved he belonged in the NFL. Lenoir started 17 games for the Niners and, per Sports Info Solutions, only allowed one touchdown on 74 targets. In one season, Lenoir outplayed his fifth-round draft status. Now, heading into a contract year, Deommodore wants to prove he’s worthy of a lucrative second contract.

Pro Football Focus went through each team to identify every underrated player. For the Niners, it was Lenoir:

While Lenoir, a former fifth-round pick, became a starter in 2022, his true breakout came in 2023 in his third season. After recording a 60.9 PFF overall grade in 2022, Lenoir improved to 75.8 in 2023, which ranked 23rd at the position. He also lowered his passer rating allowed number from 89.0 in 2022 to 75.7 this past season.

While I’d advise against hanging your hat on a PFF grade, there was a noticeable improvement from 2022 to 2023.

Lenoir averaged a full yard per target lower, doubled his pass breakups, had two more interceptions — Sports Info Solutions had Lenoir with three dropped interceptions — and was used in different roles. Lenoir rushed the passer more and was more involved in the running game.

Lenoir’s usage should fluctuate in 2023. Defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen said second-round pick Renardo Green will begin playing nickel. The 49ers can get away with that because of how Lenoir held up on the outside last season.

As a perimeter cornerback last season, Lenoir allowed 19.9 yards per game in 274 coverage snaps on 39 targets. Among cornerbacks with at least 25 targets, Lenoir’s passer rating was the 16th highest at 52.0.

He’ll have some competition. Isaac Yiadom was tenth in passer rating in the same scenario and allowed a league-low 33 percent completion percentage. Yiadom unseating Lenoir as a starter doesn’t diminish D-Mo’s impact on the defense and quality of snaps he’s provided over the past couple of seasons.