ESPN's Jeremy Fowler has been releasing his annual position-by-position rankings, created after surveying nearly 80 league executives, coaches, and scouts to determine the top 10 players at each position. The latest installment focuses on NFL safeties, with Talanoa Hufanga of the San Francisco 49ers coming in at No. 9.
Hufanga is attempting to return from the torn ACL that shortened his 2023 campaign. In his third NFL season, the former fifth-round draft pick had already garnered significant respect around the league. Hufanga earned first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors in his second NFL season. According to Pro Football Reference, he recorded a career-high 97 tackles, five for a loss, four interceptions, a touchdown, two sacks, and nine passes defensed in 2022.
Fowler notes that Hufanga's injury last season stunted the momentum he had built during that impressive 2022 campaign. However, the safety still managed 52 tackles and three interceptions in his 10 game appearances.
While Hufanga's play exemplifies natural football instincts, one evaluator believes there is room for improvement.
"Hufanga is a playmaker," an unnamed NFL personnel evaluator told Fowler. "But I don't love him in coverage. Has to be playing top down on the ball. But he's incredibly instinctual and physical in that role."
While Hufanga earned NFL honors for his performance in 2022, he surrendered six touchdowns that season, according to Pro Football Focus. That tied for the league high among safeties.
An NFC scout added, "He plays with a great edge about him, has a nice football spirit about him."
Hufanga targets returning to the practice field sometime during training camp and has his eyes set on starting Week 1. However, he acknowledged the need to tread carefully in his recovery.
"The goal is to be ready by Week 1," Hufanga told reporters in June. "The goal is to be in training camp, not at the very beginning, but to ramp me up correctly, just so it's not throw you out there to the wolves and good luck. But trying to be smart with it. We've had plenty of conversations with the training staff, and putting me in the best possible situation to succeed for myself, and then try to help the team as well."