Wright Confident He Can Win a Cornerback Job With 49ers

Former Charger says he has experience and man-to-man skills that this defense needs

At this point, it’s uncertain who will start at cornerback for the 49ers in Game 1 of the 2015 season.

The only certainty is that it should be a battle in training camp between Tramaine Brock – who figures to the No. 1 player at the position – Shareece Wright, Chris Cook, Keith Reaser, Dontae Johnson, Marcus Cromartie and Leon McFadden. Plus, there’s the No. 1 pick from 2014, safety-nickel corner Jimmie Ward.

But Wright, a veteran signed by the 49ers this offseason after four seasons with the San Diego Chargers, believes he has the skills and the experience to hold off all challengers.

Wright, 28, was a third-round pick of the Chargers in 2011 out of USC who started the past two seasons in San Diego.

He says he’s proven he can be an effective starting cornerback in the league and has certain talents the Niners need.

“I take pride in my man-to-man coverage and the ability to play press coverage against any receiver,” he told a writer for 49ers.com this week, during organized team activities (OTAs). “I want to be that guy who isn’t afraid to line up against anybody. I like to be physical. I like to get in a receiver’s face and make him have a long day.”

With the Chargers, Wright had experience starting outside and inside, against slot receivers.

Wright says he knows it will be competitive in training camp, which begins in July. During OTAs, eight cornerbacks were shuttling in and out of the lineup, with no designated starters and backups. Everyone is getting a shot.

“We’re a lot of competitors and we all want to play, but at the same time we’re team players and we all want to win,” Wright said. “We understand that. If we’re winning, we’re all successful.”

When general manager Trent Baalke signed Wright earlier this spring, he said he believes Wright can be an impact player, and compared him to Carlos Rogers, a veteran corner signed in 2011 after six seasons in Washington. Rogers had three strong seasons for San Francisco during a run to three straight NFC Championship Games and a Super Bowl.

Said Baalke, to the Bay Area media: “(I) feel very good about Shareece as a player. There’s things, like all players and everybody in this business, you have to work on. But (I) feel very good about what he brings to the team.”

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