The San Francisco 49ers started training camp with several intriguing position battles. However, as we inch closer to the conclusion of camp, many roles are becoming clearer. Dee Winters is the frontrunner for the weakside linebacker job, Ben Bartch is expected to start at left guard in Week 1, and rookie cornerback Upton Stout has shown flashes in the nickel role.
Bleacher Report's Moe Moton recently highlighted each NFL team's most important remaining position battle—and for the 49ers, it's at safety, where Ji'Ayir Brown, Richie Grant, and Marques Sigle are vying for starting opportunities.
The 49ers lost key contributors in free agency, including Talanoa Hufanga, who signed with the Denver Broncos alongside linebacker Dre Greenlaw. Last season's breakout defensive rookie, Malik Mustapha, suffered an ACL injury in the final game but is expected to return in 2025.
Brown started 13 games for San Francisco last year, but Moton suggests the third-year safety may be losing his grip on the starting role.
"Following ankle surgery, he's missed practices, which has allowed Grant to get reps with the first-team defense, along with Jason Pinnock, who's primed to start at free safety," Moton wrote.
Brown returned to practice on Monday and has participated with the first-team defense in recent sessions, including Thursday's joint practice with the Las Vegas Raiders. He'll be a key player to watch during Saturday's exhibition game.
Sigle played 33 snaps last weekend against the Broncos, while Brown and Grant did not see action. Although Sigle left the game with a knee injury, he has practiced throughout the week.
"He's shown that he can handle both the free and the strong [safety spots], mentally," defensive coordinator Robert Saleh said this week. "He's showing that he's got all the things that are required out of a safety from a movement standpoint, speed, instinct, and violence part."
Moton doesn't dismiss the possibility of Brown remaining a starter in 2025.
"Until Malik Mustapha is ready to return from a torn ACL, Brown could be a full-time starter in consecutive seasons," he wrote. "If Brown can't shake the injury bug, free-agent signee Grant will have a chance to develop in a starting role following an inconsistent four-year run with the Atlanta Falcons."
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