Final season, the 49ers’ breakout gamers had been Brandon Aiyuk and Charvarius Ward.
Ward went to his first Professional Bowl, and whereas Aiyuk wasn’t a Professional Bowl choice, he was a second-team All Professional. Each had by far one of the best seasons of their careers.
Who would be the 49ers’ breakout participant this yr? We’re speaking somebody who by no means has been a Professional Bowler or an All Professional.
Lately, the publishers for FanNation On SI chosen breakout candidates for all 32 groups, and for the 49ers I picked fourth-year cornerback Deommodore Lenoir.
“He’s coming into the ultimate season of his rookie contract, so he must carry out properly to get a giant payday,” I wrote. “And he has improved all three seasons he has been within the NFL. Final season, he began all 17 video games, broke up 10 passes, intercepted three and gave up a passer ranking of simply 75.2 whereas taking part in each exterior and within the slot. And he’s solely 24.”
When Lenoir first entered the NFL, he was a legal responsibility. He received benched after simply two begins as a rookie and, in his second season he gave up numerous deep catches as a result of he merely was too small and frail to problem massive broad receivers on the catch level.
Close to the tip of his second season, one thing shifted. Lenoir started to interrupt up and intercept passes at a a lot increased charge. Abruptly, he wasn’t a legal responsibility in any respect — he was a weapon for the 49ers. And he carried over that efficiency to final season when he began each recreation and gave up only one landing catch.
This would be the season when Lenoir will get the popularity he deserves.