The San Francisco 49ers transitioned a weakness into a strength last season when safeties Talanoa Hufanga and Tashaun Gipson proved to be a dominant duo covering the backend at the safety position, allowing the team to utilize veteran Jimmie Ward as a nickelback upon his return from injury.
After a rookie season filled with ups and downs as a reserve, Hufanga broke onto the scene in Year 2, earning All-Pro honors and flashing the talent that prompted the 49ers to take a flyer on him with a sixth-round pick in 2021.
Hufanga was an instant fit into the starting lineup, developing into a significant playmaker for the team during the first half of the season, although his play waned as the year went along, due to coverage busts that allowed opponents to secure big plays offensively.
Hufanga is going into Year 3 with the same running mate in Tashaun Gipson as a season ago, although the 49ers drafted Ji'Aayir Brown in the third round, a player already turning heads in limited practice action.
That leads to the question: How can Talanoa Hufanga improve in 2023?
2022 play
Overall, Hufanga had a solid year in 2022, accumulating four interceptions, nine passes defended, and two forced fumbles en route to a first-team All-Pro designation.
All the traits that Hufanga flashed in college: instincts in coverage, quick burst, playmaking, and aggressiveness were all seen on the field during his second year in the NFL, and a crucial part of why the 49ers defense flourished.
Defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans found a way to effectively Hufanga, utilizing him as a blitzer, near the box, and in certain coverage situations.
But, Hufanga's work ethic paid off into a successful season, where he not only became a premier player on the 49ers' defense, but also a burst of new energy into a team scouring for takeaways and splash plays defensively.
The USC product certainly has room to grow, however, as he was often caught in coverage busts towards the end of the season due to his aggressive tendencies in looking to make plays, giving up deeper shots and touchdowns to opposing offenses.
Hufanga also had a missed tackles issue at times, which also came with his fierce, aggressive manner in the run game.
2023 role
Hufanga enters the offseason as the clear-cut starter at safety, with Tashaun Gipson projected to run it back with him in the backend.
However, in comes third-round pick Ji'Ayir Brown, who has already caught eyes in minicamp and could vie for a bigger role as a rookie, given his abilities as a playmaker in coverage.
I've already written about the potential issues that come with running three-safety sets when it comes to San Francisco's specific personnel in 2023 as compared to past years, leaving questions around who could start alongside Hufanga and if the position will be as effective for the defense this season as it was last year.
Regardless of who starts, Hufanga should improve in his third season, and could play better in defensive coordinator Steve Wilks's scheme, which is expected to be more aggressive in comparison to past 49ers' defenses.
But, Hufanga will need to channel that aggression and balance it with discipline to improve as a football player, both in the run game and through the air.
With a more aggressive look, as well as the departure of Azeez Al-Shaair, Hufanga could become more of a box safety in sub packages, allowing the 49ers to get their three safeties on the field without being outmatched coverage-wise, providing the top defensive players with reps, while giving the third-year safety more freedom to make plays.
Hufanga is also extension-eligible after the season, which could be an interesting negotiation for a team that hasn't necessarily paid top dollar for the safety position under the Kyle Shanahan-John Lynch era.
Look forward to an improved season for Hufanga after a breakout year in 2022, where he'll be tasked with making plays, as usual, but also being disciplined with his responsibilities in both aspects of the game.