Tag: Renardo Green

Position change could give 49ers rookie CB Renardo Green chance to start in Year 1

Versatility could be the key for #49ers rookie CB Renardo Green earning a starting job right away.

One of the few question marks on the 49ers depth chart sits at the cornerback position where the third spot alongside Charvarius Ward and Deommodore Lenoir remains wide open. Defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen on Wednesday had some strong praise for rookie Renardo Green, who is trying out a new position with San Francisco.

The 49ers selected Green in the second round – the earliest they’ve picked a CB in the Kyle Shanahan era and it sounds like he may have a chance to earn a starting job in Year 1 thanks to his willingness to compete in the slot and outside.

“I’ve been really happy with Renardo,” Sorensen told reporters in his post-practice press conference. “The cool thing is he’s been doing both nickel and corner and it’s not a lot of time right? It’s a certain amount of practices and hasn’t fully been a nickel. So, he’s really embraced the challenge of it. That’s the best part. Like it’s never perfect because now all of a sudden we’re teaching you all these different coverages, but there’s also run fits too and then that changes. And guess what? You can’t like fully trigger and feel the physicality of the line because there’s rules and those guys aren’t playing the same. But just with him, it’s just the mentality and the competitiveness that I love. We knew the movement skill was there and you see it in man-to-man stuff and he gets those too. But just like he’s embraced any challenge that’s anything that’s hard I think he’s embraced and he’s kind of attacked it and willingly been like, ‘no man, I want more of that.’ And that’s really been awesome.”

There’s some flexibility at that third starting spot because of Lenoir’s versatility. He can play both in the slot and outside, so the 49ers don’t have to be picky about exactly what position the third CB will play.

Green primarily played outside in college, but the 49ers are getting him work at both spots during his transition to the NFL. How he handles that transition once pads come on will determine where he competes as a rookie and if he can earn a starting job out of training camp.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

49ers NFL Draft grades: Renardo Green, CB, Florida State 64th overall

49ers NFL Draft grade for selecting Florida State CB Renardo Green in the 2nd round of the 2024 NFL Draft

The San Francisco 49ers went into the 2024 offseason with one of the most loaded rosters in the entire league boasting excellent depth at just about every position. One of the few weak points of the roster was at corner, but the 49ers addressed that by adding Florida State defensive back Renardo Green to the mix with the last pick of the second round.

Green projects as an immediate starter in San Francisco either as an outside zone corner or kicked inside as their nickel back where he could excel given his feisty nature or excellent short area quickness. Green is an excellent fit for this 49er defense.

A highly productive corner in college who possesses excellent instincts, ball skills, and refined technique, Green is a locked in starter at the next level for a number of teams. Though lacking the ideal athletic upside and frame, Green is clearly set up for success in the NFL.

Grade: A

The Xs and Os with Greg Cosell: Best defensive scheme fits from the 2024 NFL draft

From the Cardinals’ new secondary to cornerback talent for the Eagles and Lions, Greg Cosell and Doug Farrar get into the best scheme fits from the 2024 NFL draft.

When teams select players in the draft, they’re not just basing those picks on the prospects’ athletic attributes — they’re also looking at how those prospects fit in the structures of their schemes.

In this week’s “Xs and Os with Greg Cosell and Doug Farrar,” Greg (of NFL Films and ESPN’s NFL Matchup) and Doug (of Touchdown Wire and the USA Today Sports Media Group) discuss their favorite defensive scheme firs from the 2024 NFL draft. Greg and Doug already discussed their favorite offensive scheme fits in this draft, and you can find that right here.

  • The Arizona Cardinals’ secondary with cornerbacks Elijah Jones and Max Melton, and safety Dadrian Taylor-Demerson;
  • The Detroit Lions’ cornerback group with Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw Jr.;
  • The Philadelphia Eagles’ secondary with cornerback Quinyon Mitchell and defensive back Cooper DeJean;
  • The Dallas Cowboys’ defensive line with DL Marshawn Kneeland;
  • The Buffalo Bills’ secondary with safety Cole Bishop;
  • The Green Bay Packers’ safeties with Javon Bullard and Kitan Oladapo;
  • The San Francisco 49ers’ secondary with Renardo Green and Malik Mustapha.

You can watch this week’s “Xs and Os” right here:

You can also listen and subscribe to the “Xs and Os” podcast on Spotify…

…and on Apple Podcasts.

49ers CB Renardo Green is one of NFL draft’s best scheme fits

Renardo Green isn’t just a dawg, he’s also one of the best scheme fits in this year’s draft.

The 49ers got a dawg when they selected Florida State cornerback Renardo Green. At least that’s what he repeatedly told 49ers general manager John Lynch when Lynch called to let Green know he’d be taken by San Francisco with the 64th overall pick. That dawg mentality allowed him to be one of the best press-man cornerbacks in college football last season, which made him one of the best defensive scheme fits in this year’s draft according to a list compiled by our buddy Doug Farrar from Touchdown Wire.

None of Green’s traditional measurables jump off the page. He measured in at 6-foot, 186 pounds at the NFL combine and ran a 4.49 in the 40-yard dash. The rest of his athletic testing numbers, save for his 130-inch broad jump (89th percentile per Mock Draftable), are mostly ordinary.

What does jump out is his production both on tape and in a deeper look at his stats. Here’s what Farrar wrote about Green’s numbers during his final season with the Seminoles:

Green, who last season allowed 31 receptions on 60 targets for 290 yards, 103 yards after the catch, three touchdowns, one interception, 13 pass breakups, and an opponent passer rating of 75.0, did his thing in the Seminoles’ press-heavy, man-heavy schemes, which led to some instances in which he got beaten on an island, but also some spectacular plays that showed all of his attributes — particularly a knack for clamping down in more press reps than most NCAA cornerbacks have to deal with. Green allowed just eight catches on 23 targets in press coverage last season, and just 3.5 yards per catch.

The 49ers will still deploy plenty of zone coverage, but having a player like Green who is so adept in man coverage potentially lining up across from Charvarius Ward, another press-man specialist, could give new defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen a slew of options when it comes to having an adaptable game plan.

If Green does turn out to be one of the best scheme fits from this year’s draft it would likely mean an improved 49ers secondary, and with that the potential for an even better defensive unit in 2024.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

The Xs and Os with Greg Cosell: Our favorite draft picks (mostly) outside the first round

In this week’s “Xs and Os,” Greg Cosell and Doug Farrar get into their favorite draft picks (mostly) outside of the first round.

Now that the 2024 NFL draft is in the books, which players who were not selected in the first round have the best chances to make real impacts on their new NFL teams? In this episode of “The Xs and Os with Greg Cosell,” Greg and Doug Farrar get into their favorite guys mostly outside of the first round.

Ricky Pearsall, WR, San Francisco 49ers — We’re cheating a bit here, as Pearsall was selected with the 31st overall pick, but if the 49ers keep both Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk on the roster, Pearsall can impact the passing game in ways that his new teammates will find complementary, and in ways that bring new colors to Kyle Shanahan’s playbook. Also, watch out for fourth-round receiver Jacob Cowing from Arizona as a smaller speed element.

Renardo Green, CB, San Francisco 49ers — On the defensive side, and with the 64th overall pick in the second round, the 49ers got a cornerback who showed all the athleticism and coverage skills you want at the position, and brings an absolute dawg mentality. You need look no further than Green’s tape against LSU’s Malik Nabers.

Marshawn Kneeland, DL, Dallas Cowboys — The Cowboys’ scouting staff is one of the NFL’s best, and with the 56th overall pick in the second round, Dallas picked up the Western Michigan and Senior Bowl star, who brings Khalil Mack to mind with his power-based rush, and Za’Darius Smith to mind with his effective gap versatility.

Malik Washington, WR, Miami Dolphins — Stop us if you’ve heard this one before, but the Dolphins got a receiver who’s really fast in some really interesting ways. Washington, the Virginia receiver who Miami stole with the 184th overall pick in the sixth round, brings an exciting, physical style that puts defenses in severe conflict when those defenses also have to deal with Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.

Cole Bishop, S, Buffalo Bills — The Bills’ former secondary got old overnight, and a re-do is now necessary. Bishop, the Utah star, is a prefect safety with which to rebuild because he can do just about everything at a high level.

Adonai Mitchell, WR, Indianapolis Colts — Mitchell showed at Texas that he has first-round talent, and if he can put it together with the nuances of the position, he’ll give the Colts the alpha receiver that seems to be the only thing this offense was missing. Not bad for the 52nd overall pick in the second round.

Jalen McMillan, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers — McMillan may have been the lost member of the Washington receiver group from a production standpoint due to injury in 2023 (which is how the Bucs were able to get him with the 92nd overall pick in the third round), but the tape shows a valuable deep receiver who can expertly dice zone coverage downfield.

Trey Benson, RB, Arizona Cardinals — At Florida State, Benson showed the ability to run with power like a bigger man, and to evade tackles with the agility of a smaller back. The Cardinals selected Benson with the 66th overall pick in the third round, and they’ll likely avail themselves of Benson’s special skill set sooner than later.

Bub Means, WR, New Orleans Saints — At Pitt, Means displayed the ability to be a fantastic deep receiver despite a trio of quarterbacks who really struggled to do anything. Odds are, the Saints got a receiver with the 170th pick in the fifth round who can be even better in the NFL — all he needs is functional quarterback play to turn it loose.

You can watch this week’s edition of “The Xs and Os” right here:

You can also listen and subscribe to the “Xs and Os” podcast on Spotify…

…and on Apple Podcasts.

ESPN’s Louis Riddick has high praise for 49ers new CB Renardo Green

The ESPN NFL analyst had high praise for San Francisco’s second round pick.

After adding offense in the opening round of the draft on Thursday, the San Francisco 49ers flipped to the defensive side of the ball in the second round of the draft.

Following a trade with the Kansas City Chiefs, the 49ers were on the clock with the No. 64 overall pick in the draft. John Lynch and the 49ers selected Florida State corner Renardo Green.

Following the pick, it didn’t take long for one of the members of ESPN’s broadcast to weigh-in on San Francisco’s selection. ESPN analyst Louis Riddick had high praise for Green, specifically one of his traits on the field.

Riddick called Green the best press cornerback in the draft class.

I thought he was the best press corner in the draft. He lives up at the line of scrimmage and there’s good reason why.

Via @EricGalko on Twitter:

This post originally appeared on Niners Wire! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter! 

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Watch: All the highlights from 49ers new CB Renardo Green

Get to know the newest member of the 49ers with all the highlights from Florida State CB Renardo Green.

After landing a wide receiver in the first round of the NFL draft on Thursday, the San Francisco 49ers shifted to the defensive side of the ball in the second round on Friday night.

With the No. 64 overall pick, the 49ers added Florida State cornerback Renardo Green in the second round. Green earned a second-team All-ACC bid with the Seminoles in 2023. The 6-foot-0 cornerback picked up 13 pass breakups in his final season in Tallahassee, which was good enough for sixth in all of college football. Green also notched one interception last season.

Most of Green’s impressive highlight reel came in a primetime matchup against LSU and their first-round duo of Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. Both Tiger wide receivers went in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft.

Via @OurSF49ers on Twitter:

Get to know the newest member of the 49ers with all of his highlights via YouTube:

49ers draft pick CB Renardo Green shut down No. 6 overall pick WR Malik Nabers in college matchup

49ers draft pick Renardo Green dominated the No. 6 overall pick WR Malik Nabers in a head-to-head matchup.

LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers went well before Florida State cornerback Renardo Green. The Giants selected Nabers No. 6 overall while the 49ers took Green off the board 58 picks later at No. 64 overall. Nabers might’ve been the better prospect, but nobody would know that based on their head-to-head matchup.

Florida State and LSU faced off to open the 2023 college season. The Seminoles dominated the game 45-24 at Camping World Stadium in Orlando. Part of the reason Florida State dominated was because of Green’s effectiveness in taking Nabers out of the game.

The No. 6 overall pick was targeted five times when guarded by Green and caught two passes for 20 yards per Pro Football Focus. Green managed an interception on one of the throws to Nabers, meaning he finished with just one fewer catch than Nabers on balls thrown the wide receiver’s way.

If Green continues stepping up in big games like that as a pro he could wind up being one of the steals of the draft as the final pick in Round 2.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Instant analysis: Can CB Renardo Green start right away for 49ers?

Can 49ers second-round pick CB Renardo Green win the starting job in Year 1?

The 49ers went away from the public consensus for the second time in this year’s draft when they took Florida State CB Renardo Green with the 64th overall pick after a trade back with the Chiefs.

Green doesn’t have all the physical tools we’ve come to recognize as hallmarks of an early-round CB prospect. He’s 6-0, 191 pounds and ran a 4.49 in the 40-yard dash. He doesn’t have particularly long arms and his athletic measurables don’t show anything extraordinary about the way he moves.

What jumps out with Green though is how hard he plays. He’s constantly around the ball and he has a physical style that the 49ers surely love. His 14 pass breakups despite his lack of elite size and athleticism are indicative of just how tight he plays in coverage.

Ask No. 6 overall pick Malik Nabers about him. This breakdown on Green from Touchdown Wire’s Doug Farrar and NFL film guru Greg Cosell is very good:

Penalties are a pretty significant issue as a result of that playing style though which could wind up hurting Green in the pros. He has to learn how to stay aggressive without getting too handsy on receivers. That’s something that can come with coaching though.

If he can play as an effective press-man corner in the NFL the way he did in college he should be the frontrunner to start on the side opposite Charvarius Ward next season. There’ll be some competition though with Ambry Thomas, Darrell Luter Jr., Samuel Womack, Rock Ya-Sin and Isaac Yiadom all vying for that starting job.

If Green’s athleticism doesn’t allow him to hang against NFL receivers though he could be relegated to special teams duty and the 49ers will be on the hunt for another starting CB next offseason.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Grading 49ers second round pick: Florida State CB Renardo Green

Grading the 49ers selection of Florida State CB Renardo Green in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft.

After there was a flurry of trades to start the second round, the San Francisco 49ers got involved with a trade at the end of the second round on Friday night. The 49ers traded the No. 63 overall selection to the Kansas City Chiefs to move back just one spot in the second round.

When they officially came on the clock in the second round, the 49ers addressed the defensive side of the ball for the first time in the draft. With the No. 64 overall pick, the 49ers selected Florida State defensive back Renardo Green.

The 6-foot-0, 186 lbs cornerback played five seasons with Florida State. In his final season with the Seminoles, Green tallied 43 tackles, including 2.5 tackles for loss and 0.5 sacks. Green also recorded 13 pass deflections and one interception.

Following the 49ers latest addition, the Niners Wire team dished out grades and their initial reactions to the pick in the second round.

Kyle Madson – Managing Editor: 

This is a head-scratcher. Green doesn’t have a ton of high-end traits, but his compete level is really high which surely endeared him to the 49ers. The bottom line is this club has too many long-term needs to throw away picks, so they can’t afford to have Green waste away as a reserve. Green is probably best suited as a press-man corner which will help his case in working into a starting job, but he’s far from a sure thing to line up across from Charvarius Ward on Day 1.”

Grade: B

Tommy Call – Contributing Writer: 

With the 49ers additions in free agency, their roster looked relatively set in the secondary. However, most of their defensive back depth chart is band-aided together with veterans. Renardo Green provided a mix of youth and potential while also having some traits that should be able to play right away.

Playing corner, Green is a willing tackler who can play on the boundary, recording over 148 tackles in his career at Florida State, including seven tackles for loss. With Green should be able to get reps as an outside corner right away as a press guy with some physicality.

While I like the potential of Green, I don’t think the 49ers addressed a need in the second round. Now, heading into round three, the offensive line feels like it needs some attention.

Grade: B-