49ers News: Isaac Yiadom named nickel cornerback ahead of Renardo Green

The San Francisco 49ers had a little competition for the cornerback position this training camp. All-Pro Charvarius Ward and rising star Deommodore Lenoir had the top two spots secured, but there was also a chance that someone could secure the nickel cornerback spot.

On Friday, defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen was asked how he envisions the lineup with his defensive backs in the nickel and who the three cornerbacks will be. Here is his answer:

“Well, we proceeded as it began, with Ike [Isaac Yiadom] and D-Mo and Mooney. And then we rotated the guys and did a lot of practice with them. But that's how it is at the moment, with Renardo [Green] rotating.”

Yiadom has been in the NFL since 2018. He has experience and is coming off a season where he performed admirably with the New Orleans Saints. According to Next Gen Stats, Yiadom allowed just three touchdowns on 50 attempts in 2023, posting a 48 percent completion rate. His catch rate above expected was -6.6 percent, while his coverage EPA was -5.8, top marks for any cornerback.

Sorensen said Green will continue to coach at nickel and outside:

“Yeah, we've been training him across areas. He's been jumping around, and we've been training him the way we need him to, no matter how many reps he's doing. Whatever he feels like at each position, we just make him do more reps there. That's just how it is with him. Whatever he needs, we make him do it, so he's prepared at both positions because he has to be.”

There's no reason to pressure Green and throw him into the lineup, so you bring in a veteran like Yiadom.

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

“It's been great to see him. He looks good. When I see him out there and moving, a lot of that is just part of the process. You know, that was just the next step. Like anybody else, there are these checkmarks and benchmarks that everybody has to hit. There's a certain plan for these guys. I think he's just getting to the next step.

When you see him out there and try to watch him specifically in his one-on-ones and some reps, he looks good. It's about how he feels, whether he's hitting the percentages he needs to hit with the power [and conditioning team]all these tests they do.”

That's encouraging to hear about Hufanga, but it doesn't sound like he scored enough points to compete on 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 takes the field.