49ers DC Confident Defender Who Lost Starts ‘Can Get It Done’

Getty Steve Wilks, the new defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers.

Two years after San Francisco 49ers cornerback Ambry Thomas was surpassed by two classmates drafted behind him in 2021, the team’s new defensive coordinator gave him a vote of confidence.

“I’m very confident that he can get it done,” Steve Wilks told the Bay Area media on June 8.

Thomas, who was taken in the third round, had five starts his rookie year, more than fifth-round defensive backs Talanoa Hufanga and Deommodore Lenoir.

But a year later, Hufanga was a first-team All-Pro and Lenoir was the team’s postseason interception leader. Thomas, meanwhile, failed to start a single game.

Ambry Thomas Was Once Called Trade Option by 1 Analyst

Entering his third season, Thomas could be looking at a make-or-break type scenario for ’23. He had even been suggested as a trade candidate before the 2023 draft.

“The 49ers won’t get back anything close to the third-round pick they used on him in 2021, but it’d be better than going after another body and subsequently waiving Thomas before he entered the third season of his pro career,” FanSided’s Peter Panacy wrote on April 5.

Wilks hinted that he liked what he’d seen from Thomas during the 49ers’ OTAs.

“I think, right now, I’m very impressed with [him] being in gym shorts,” Wilks said. “But I think once we get the pads on in training camp, we have an opportunity to go and practice against the [Las Vegas] Raiders before we play them, and we’ll see exactly once we get the preseason.”

Thomas is listed third on the depth chart at right cornerback, behind Lenoir and Isaiah Oliver, a sixth-year player whom the 49ers signed as a free agent from the Atlanta Falcons. The 49ers lost Emmanuel Moseley and Jason Verrett to free agency.

Oliver is expected to compete for the nickelback position, according to NBC Sports Bay Area.

“Oliver is someone that I had the opportunity to go against being in that division,” Wilks said, according to Jennifer Lee Chan’s May 16 story. “We wanted to make sure that we sort of got the best nickel in free agency and that’s what we went out and did, so I’m excited about Oliver. He’s long, he’s physical, can tackle, can cover, he’s going to be a good blitzer for us, everything that we do within this defense.”

Is Thomas Making a Case for a Return to Starter Status During OTAs?

From Wilks’ eyes, has Thomas put together a strong offseason.

“Ambry, I thought has had a great OTAs and mini-camp,” Wilks said. “So when you look at those two guys [Thomas and Lenoir] with the amount of reps they’ve taken with Mooney [Ward] not being there, I think it has only been a plus.”

Wilks adds another contender in the CB room.

“And I saw progression with Sammy [CB Samuel Womack III] as well, Womack, so I’m excited about the young guys that we have on the outside,” Wilks said.

Thomas won over 49ers fans for his game-sealing interception on January 9, 2022, in the 27-24 season finale over the Los Angeles Rams that clinched the 49ers’ wild-card spot.