San Francisco 49ers’ rookie cornerback Renardo Green has quickly become one of the most feared defensive backs in the NFL, and his stellar performance in Week 16 only proved that further. After being drafted in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft, the former Florida State standout has carried his college success straight into the pros.
Green, who had a breakout season in 2022 leading Florida State’s defense to their first bowl win in years, continued his dominance in 2023 with 43 tackles, 13 pass breakups, and an interception. His exceptional play earned him a spot as one of the NFL’s top cornerbacks, and Pro Football Focus (PFF) recently named him the No. 3 lockdown corner following a tough 29-17 loss to the Miami Dolphins.
“Lockdown Coverage,” a new PFF metric, measures how well a defender prevents a receiver from getting open, and Green excelled in it, particularly against Miami’s explosive Tyreek Hill. Despite being tested 11 times, Green posted an impressive 81.82% lockdown rate, showing he can hang with the NFL’s elite wide receivers.
Other former Seminole stars, including Miami’s Jalen Ramsey and Jacksonville’s Jarrian Jones, also made the top 15, but Green’s rise is particularly exciting. He currently ranks 12th in the NFL for coverage grades, with a solid 76.5 score over 325 coverage snaps this season.
Looking ahead, Green will continue to shine in his rookie season when the 49ers face off against the Detroit Lions on Monday night. With 61 tackles, a forced fumble, and an interception so far, Green is proving he’s more than ready for the NFL spotlight.
