The San Francisco 49ers won 12 games in the regular season and defeated the defending Super Bowl champions in the wild-card round before losing to the eventual Super Bowl champions in the divisional round, despite injuries to multiple key players.
That’s an outstanding accomplishment for a team that finished the season without Brandon Aiyuk, Fred Warner, Nick Bosa and George Kittle, who could be among the top eight players the 49ers couldn’t afford to lose last year.
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Today, as we continue to work our way through the season, we’ll dissect the cornerback room and grade each of their year-end report cards.
Theodore Lenoir: B+
Lenoir played the most defensive snaps for the 49ers in 2025 after signing a massive five-year, $88.9 million contract midway through the 2024 season. He finished with 61 tackles, five passes defended and two interceptions while allowing a 90.5 passer rating when targeted (via Pro Football Reference). He also drew 10 penalties, which was tied for sixth-most in the league.
Leonardo Green: C+
Green is San Francisco’s 2024 second-round pick and is the team’s starting cornerback opposite Lenoir. He appeared and started 14 games, making 60 tackles and 10 passes defended. When targeted, he has a passer rating of 80.0 (69 times).
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Upton Stout: C+
The 5-foot-9 rookie out of Western Kentucky stepped up and played in 16 games for the 49ers, starting four, and proved he belonged in the NFL. He finished the year with 82 tackles, five passes defended, one sack and one forced fumble. His size limits his ability in coverage, but he’s often there to knock down receivers after receptions.
Darrell Luter Jr.: D+
In 2025, Lute’s third season with the team, he took 271 defensive shots, which was the most opportunities he had in the league so far, surpassing the 64 defensive shots he took as a rookie. Still, Luter struggled in coverage reps, posting a 101.0 passer rating when targeted. He finished with 28 tackles, one pass defensed and one fumble reception.
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Chase Lucas: Inc.
Lucas spent the 2024 season on the team’s practice squad, but exited training camp in 2025 after a strong showing in training camp and the preseason. He may have played in 15 games, but most of his work was on special teams, playing 204 games in the third period and just 98 games on defense. Maybe there’s something there, but he needs more opportunities to show it.
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This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: 49ers report card: How will San Francisco’s linebackers fare in 2025?
