49ers All-Pro Veteran May Lose Starting Job to a Rookie!
The 49ers have agreed to a deal with free-agent tight end Logan Thomas, according to an AP source, while the future of their starting safety lineup remains uncertain.
Talanoa Hufanga might lose his starting position to rookie Malik Mustapha. Heading into 2024, most of the 49ers’ roster positions have set starters, with only a few spots still open for competition.
One of the more fluid situations is at safety, where the 49ers have several strong options but no definitive starters. Last season, Tashaun Gipson and Talanoa Hufanga began as the starting safeties. However, Hufanga tore his ACL ten games into the season, leading rookie Ji’Ayir Brown to step in and excel.
With 2024 approaching, Brown seems likely to start, especially since the 49ers chose not to re-sign Gipson. The question remains whether Hufanga will return as a starter alongside Brown or if another player, possibly a promising rookie, will take the spot.
Rookie Malik Mustapha is a strong contender to challenge Hufanga for the starting role. Hufanga, who earned a first-team All-Pro title in his second year, exemplifies the 49ers’ knack for finding late-round draft gems. The team hopes to replicate this success with Malik Mustapha, a former Wake Forest defensive back selected in the fourth round last April.
While All-Pro safety George Odum is also in the mix, his skills are primarily focused on special teams, making Hufanga and Mustapha the main competitors in what promises to be an intriguing training camp battle.
Two key factors will influence the outcome. First, will Hufanga fully recover from his torn ACL in time for summer workouts and the regular season? If not, Mustapha might step in as a year-one starter. Second, if Mustapha outperforms Hufanga, he could earn the starting role outright.
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Defensive backs coach Daniel Bullocks has high praise for Mustapha, highlighting his tackling ability and versatility. “He can come down in the box, he can bang, he can blitz. He’s one of the best-tackling DBs in the draft,” Bullocks told Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury News. With Hufanga entering a contract year and becoming a free agent in 2025, the 49ers might be looking to get younger and cheaper amidst rising roster costs.
Ultimately, the 49ers will field the best player regardless of contract status, and that player might well be Mustapha.
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