If you asked San Francisco 49ers fans to name the position group they're most worried about going into the 2025 season, it probably wouldn't take long before the defensive backfield would come up.
With some depth lacking outside of starting cornerbacks Deommodore Lenoir and Renardo Green, and no obvious answers at safety with Ji'Ayir Brown unconvincing and Malik Mustapha working his way back from an ACL injury, that's well-founded.
However, the first half of Saturday's preseason game against the Denver Broncos might have offered some hope in that situation, with three defensive backs -- all fighting for roster and starting spots -- showing out early.
49ers' reserve defensive backs put on a show vs. Broncos
The first player to show up heavily on film was journeyman cornerback Chase Lucas, who largely manned the nickel corner spot with rookie Upton Stout not playing. Lucas had a nice pass breakup on a key third-down play but also showed off his versatility in defending the run solidly and making some noise as a blitzer, forcing an errant throw on another third down from Broncos quarterback Bo Nix.
It was a solid night for Lucas, who could be ticketed for the roster as a backup or starting nickel. We know coordinator Robert Saleh values players doing their jobs, and Lucas did that on Saturday.
That brings us to the ultimate "do your job" position, the safety spot. Your primary job at safety is simple, especially under Saleh: do not allow big plays, and if big plays happen in front of you, put an end to them.
Enter Marques Sigle, the team's fifth-round draft choice.
After flashing early with a nice tackle in the open field (something that seems a rarity when you think of Niners safeties), Sigle settled down into a nice rhythm.
He'd finish the night with seven overall tackles (just edging out Tatum Bethune at linebacker) before leaving the field with a knee injury that hopefully isn't serious. Sigle showed every attribute necessary to play early and often in the 49ers defense, and while he'll still have a tough climb to start, given the amount of veterans in front of him, he did himself absolutely no harm, and arguably outplayed his backfield-mate in Jason Pinnock.
Marques Sigle, a rookie starter tonight at safety, is questionable to return because of a knee injury. He has a team-high 7 tackles.
— Cam Inman (@CamInman) August 10, 2025
Finally, and most surprisingly, cornerback Darrell Luter Jr stepped up to the plate.
Working against the Broncos' first-string offense and newly minted wide receiver Courtland Sutton, Luter put up a good fight, coming up with a nice pass breakup (that almost turned into an interception), as well as showing out well against the experienced pass-catcher. Luter's had a quiet camp, and given the development of some around him on the roster, could be on the roster bubble. Those opening series really helped his stock in this battle.
What won't have helped him, however, is giving up a touchdown late in the second half, as a miscommunication saw Lucas Krull open by about three states for one of two Denver touchdowns in the first half. Luter is going to have to keep up his intensity against the backups as well as the starters to hang on to a roster spot.
With Tre Brown, Jakob Robinson, and Siran Neal all also working at the spot, it looks like we might have a sneaky-good competition brewing at defensive back.
That would be an unexpected boon for the 49ers going into 2025.
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