bang123One of the San Francisco 49ers’ biggest question marks at the start of training camp is at safety where there are a number of options but a few proven answers.
With second-year pro Malik Mustapha still recovering from last year’s ACL tear, the Niners can aim for incumbents like Ji’Ayir Brown and Jaylen Mahoney to make a massive leap. Or they can hope at least rookie defensive back Marques Sigle helps make up for Mustapha’s absence.
San Francisco can also bank on two of its offseason free-agent pickups, Richie Grant and Jason Pinnock, stepping up to fill the voids.
“It’s wide open,” defensive coordinator Robert Saleh told reporters of the training camp competition at safety. “Pinnock is coming in, Richie Grant, Sigle being a rookie. Obviously, Ji’Ayir, Mustapha.”
Pinnock, in particular, might not be the recognizable name for 49ers fans who quickly grew to adore Mustapha during his rookie 2024 campaign, and the former likely won’t make up for All-Pro safety Talanoa Hufanga’s free-agent departure last March.
That said, Pinnock is a key candidate who could steal a starting job in light of Saleh’s comments.
Jason Pinnock a strong candidate to start for 49ers
Pinnock was primarily a starter for the New York Giants, especially the previous two seasons in which he started 16 games apiece, logging 170 tackles, five sacks and seven passes broken up during that particular stretch.
Flexing between both free and strong safety spots, Pinnock gives Saleh the opportunity to place someone like Brown or Sigle down in the box, if need be, while not leaving a gaping liability at the very back end of the 49ers defense.
Assuming Pinnock is the best candidate for that role.
Pinnock might lose a starting job, though, if he loses out in the camp competition. And he might lose it again once Mustapha returns, provided other Niners safeties are on the ascent, namely Sigle.
But, as far as a roster spot, it’s worth pointing out Pinnock’s one-year free-agent deal is worth a fully guaranteed $2.2 million, so he’s not going anywhere.
How much he sees the field, though, is very much “wide open,” as Saleh previously said.
