49ers named ideal landing spot for two remaining NFL free agents
“The veteran has a physical inside presence, using his power to displace defensive tackles,” Bowen wrote. “And he has the movement ability to pull on gap schemes, which fits into Kyle Shanahan’s system.
“Zeitler also uses his strong base in protection, ranking 37th out of 65 qualifying guards in pass block win rate last season (92.4%). He would be an upgrade to the interior of San Francisco’s O-line, which saw left guard Spencer Burford
leave for the Raiders in free agency.”
49ers 90-in-90: Do the numbers match the eye test for Deommodore Lenoir?
“However, when it came around to matching up against A.J. Brown, Lenoir looked outmatched. He was targeted nine times in the Wild Card round. That 24.3 percent target rate was a season high. Lenoir allowed a season-high six receptions for 55 yards. Brown could have had a better day if he had caught the ball on a critical passing down that changed the game.
Despite being the second-lowest targeted cornerback during the regular season, Lenoir allowed 7.1 yards lined up as an outside cornerback, which was 1.1 yards more than his season in 2024. Lenoir also tied for the most penalties among cornerbacks with 10.
The numbers suggest Lenoir had an above-average season. The eye test says the 49ers’ defense was a sieve from top to bottom in 2025. The expectation is that everybody benefits from the return of Nick Bosa, Mykel Williams, and Fred Warner. The addition of Osa Odighizuwa should only take pressure off the cornerbacks.
But you still need cornerbacks who can win 1-on-1 against the very best in the NFL. Lenoir only had 13 man coverage targets last season. He allowed 15.5 yards per reception on those and did not have enough competitive reps to lead you to believe he’s in the same group as the upper echelon defensive backs in the league.”
