Why DB coach sees rookie Green as an ‘upgrade’ for 49ers secondary originally appeared in NBC Sports Bay Area
SANTA CLARA – Defensive backs coach Daniel Bullocks believes 49ers rookie cornerback Renardo Green has the potential to be so versatile as Deommodore Lenoir.
O 2024 NFL Draft second-round pick has already been challenged by Bullocks and the coaching staff, who have given the young corner opportunities to play both outside and inside at the nickel position.
“For [Green], it will be more of a mental thing, because physically he can do it,” Bullocks said. “He has the ability to do that and just looking at him compared to Demo, Demo Lenoir is a physical, violent player, he knows how to run, he has skill with the ball and he knows how to cover. He has a very similar skill set to Demo. He’s a guy we’re excited about.”
Green understands the task at hand and has been arriving at the facility before his position coach — between 5:30 a.m. PT and 6 a.m. PT — regularly, understanding how much work it will take on and off the field to be able to play both positions.
“[Green] is playing out there now and nickel for us,” Bullocks said. “Nickel is one of the hardest positions to play on our defense because when you’re playing inside, you have to understand run adjustments. You have to listen to every call.
“Running attacks can change and you have to understand the front. You have to understand when you are blitzing and not blitzing. You use different techniques than when you are playing corner. Also, when you leave the house you have different techniques. That’s a lot to ask of a guy in his rookie year.”
It would seem like a lot for a rookie, but the 23-year-old looks mature beyond his years after spending five seasons at Florida State. Green is the only player in the team’s 2024 rookie class who has not transferred schools during his entire college career. That factor alone impressed Bullocks.
“He is very mature; you can tell he went through a lot growing up,” Bullocks said. “Very mature player. It said a lot about him staying at Florida State when with NIL deals guys can go somewhere else and get paid more money. But he decided to stay at Florida State, which says a lot about who he is as a person.”
Of course, there’s more than Seminole loyalty for Bullocks to be won by his new draft pick. Green jumped from film to scouts and the 49ers coaching staff. The ACC standout racked up 101 solo tackles in his five college seasons, and in his senior season recorded 2.5 tackles for loss and 13 pass breakups.
“He’s physical, he’s violent and he’s one of the best defenders in the draft,” Bullocks said. “And his versatility – we know he plays safety, a little nickel and plays outside. When you look at a guy like that, with that skill set, you always want to bring him into our defense. I think he improved our secondary defense.”
