49ers Address Slot Cornerback Issue with Sneaky Free Agent Move

The San Francisco 49ers entered the offseason with a clear focus on shoring up their cornerback position, particularly in the slot. Despite the solid performances of starters Charvarius Ward and Deommodore Lenoir, the nickel cornerback spot remained a significant area of concern throughout the 2023 season.

The signing of Isaiah Oliver to fill the starting nickel role did not yield the expected results, leading to a mid-season benching and subsequent release. As a result, Lenoir was forced to shift inside to play the slot on nickel downs, with mixed results.

Additionally, Ambry Thomas, who filled in for Lenoir on the outside, struggled during the team’s postseason run, prompting his benching in favour of veteran Logan Ryan in Super Bowl 58. With Oliver no longer in the picture, finding a reliable solution at nickel became a top priority for the 49ers this offseason.

While the team explored potential options in this year’s draft class, they also sought to address the issue of free agency. On Friday, the 49ers made a move that may have flown under the radar for many NFL fans but could have significant implications for their cornerback group.

According to reports from his agents at Vayner Sports, the 49ers signed cornerback Isaac Yiadom to a one-year deal.

Yiadom, a former third-round pick of the Denver Broncos in the 2018 NFL Draft, is coming off the best season of his career, having spent the 2023 campaign with the New Orleans Saints.

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In his second year with the Saints, Yiadom enjoyed a breakout season, tallying 14 pass breakups and earning praise for his coverage skills.

According to data from Sports Info Solutions, Yiadom allowed a completion percentage of just 38.5% on passes thrown his way, ranking among the top cornerbacks in the league in that metric. He also excelled in yards per attempt allowed (5.1) and positive play rate allowed (35.9%).