If one believes the premise that the best predictor of future behavior is past behavior, then it's reasonable to assume San Francisco 49ers second-year cornerback Renardo Green will perform well one year removed from his impressive 2024 rookie reason.
That can be a big premise, though.
Yes, Green impressed out of the gate after the Niners used a second-round pick on the former Florida State product, eventually starting seven of the 17 regular-season games played, recording both an interception and forced fumble in the process, not to mention a solid 13 passes broken up.
But there was a context where Green wasn't under too much pressure to deliver right away, especially with veteran corners like Charvarius Ward and Isaac Yiadom ahead of him on the depth chart to open up the year.
That's not the case entering 2025.
With both Ward and Yiadom gone via free agency, Green suddenly becomes far more crucial to San Francisco's defensive plans. Alongside No. 1 cornerback Deommodore Lenoir, Green is now a featured defensive back, and the 49ers are desperately hoping the 6-foot, 186-pound defensive back doesn't fall victim to the ever-present sophomore slump.
49ers are putting a lot of pressure on Renardo Green in Year 2
There are plenty of reasons to be bullish on Green's second-year prospects. Injuries and other factors forced him into a starting role rather prematurely in 2024, and the then-rookie responded by holding opposing quarterbacks to a respectable 88.2 passer rating when targeting him.
Pro Football Focus gave Green a solid 69.2 overall grade, suggesting the lone area in need of improvement was in run defense, but that didn't stop the analytical site from naming the defensive back a top breakout candidate for 2025.
Perhaps more importantly, though, the fact the Niners made little attempt to re-sign either Ward or Yiadom suggests they have full confidence in Green making a second-year leap.
Not enduring a second-year regression.
Such regressions can be common, though. Remember former San Francisco corners like Ahkello Witherspoon and Ambry Thomas? Both showed flashes of promise in their respective rookie seasons, only to hit the proverbial sophomore slump in year two.
True, every player is different. And Green won't automatically follow that trajectory because two other former 49ers defensive backs did.
Still, it's something the Niners have to be at least modestly concerned about, especially when accounting for the fact their depth behind Green is rather thin.
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