From day three NFL draft pick to NFL star? 49ers’ Deomondre Lenoir thinks so originally appeared on The Sporting News
After signing a massive multi-year extension last season with the San Francisco 49ers, Deommodore Lenoir has firmly established himself as one of the league’s most promising young stars.
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His confidence is at an all-time high, and he made that clear during a recent appearance on the Richard Sherman podcast.
“I’mma be the best corner in the league this year,” Lenoir said. “The money didn’t change me. I’d rather come in, work, and prove my worth. I was just telling them that I’m ready for any challenge.”
Lenoir is coming off a strong season, recording 85 tackles, two interceptions, a forced fumble, and nine pass deflections. He also earned a 70.8 pass coverage grade and a 66.5 overall grade from Pro Football Focus.
“It’s just really being a lockdown corner,” Lenoir said. “I feel like I’ve transitioned to this role to be cornerback one. What’s needed to be cornerback one is to shut down the best receiver, and I feel like I’ve been ready for that challenge.”
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For a 49ers defense entering a youth movement, Lenoir is precisely the kind of player to build around. At just 25 years old and coming out of Oregon as a fifth-round pick, he’s shown how far hard work and dedication can elevate a player’s role within a franchise.
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Lenoir’s comments on the Sherman podcast might have sounded bold, but he’s earned every bit of that confidence. From a day-three draft pick to one of the league’s rising cornerbacks, he’s proven he belongs among football’s next generation of stars.
If he lives up to the hype, Lenoir could anchor the 49ers’ defense for years. His combination of skill, determination, and fearlessness makes him a player fans will be watching closely all season.
This year, the question isn’t whether he can talk the talk—it’s whether he can walk it on the field.