San Francisco 49ers safety Ji'Ayir Brown isn't letting limited playing time change how he views himself. The 2023 third-round pick has logged just nine defensive snaps through the first two games of the season, with most of his work coming on special teams.
Despite the small sample size, Brown has impressed in his opportunities. He owns a 93.0 defensive grade and a 91.8 coverage grade from Pro Football Focus (PFF)—both significantly higher than any other 49ers defensive back. On defense, his marks trail only linebacker Fred Warner, who boasts a 93.2 defensive grade and 91.8 coverage grade.
Brown recently spoke to Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle and made a bold statement about his standing among NFL safeties.
"It's going to make sense one day," Brown said. "That is me saying that I believe in my talents. I've been around the game, and I have a lot of respect from a lot of safeties around the game. That's me saying my personal opinion that I'm top five in this league."
Shanahan praises Brown's mindset
This week, head coach Kyle Shanahan addressed how Brown, nicknamed "Tig," is handling his current role—not starting on the 49ers defense.
"Tig's handled things great," Shanahan said. "He's been the same guy, played the same way. I think he's done a good job on teams, getting more reps there, and thought he did a good job with his big nickel role last week. He's done a good job in practice, which kind of earned him that role, and been really happy with Tig."
The "big nickel" role essentially tasks Brown with functioning as a hybrid linebacker. Against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, he played seven defensive snaps, recording two tackles and a pass breakup.
While some might view that role as a step backward, Brown insists it doesn't diminish his confidence or how he views himself as a safety.
"I think most of my pro approach and humility to the situation, whatever you want to draw it up as, most of it is because I know who I am as a player," Brown said. "I know for sure I'm one of the best safeties in the league. Top five, if anything, in the league. This has nothing to do with me being moved from safety. This is just me being a football player, and moving down to big nickel is a showcase of my many talents."
Looking toward the future
Brown believes he will return to a full-time safety role eventually. For now, he sees his big nickel responsibilities as the best way to contribute to the 49ers' defense and earn more opportunities to be on the football field.
Brown isn't sure what the future holds. Jason Pinock and Marques Sigle are the full-time starters at safety, and the team expects last year's defensive rookie surprise, Malik Mustapha, to return at some point this season. Wherever his career ends up taking him, Brown's confidence won't waver.
What gives Brown that confidence that he will once again earn a starting role?
"Just knowing that I'm one of the premier safeties in this game," Brown said. "I will be back at safety, eventually, whether it's here or whether it's wherever. I am a safety. I'm a safety that can do many things."
Brown would love for that future to be with the 49ers, but he understands that the NFL is a business and nothing is guaranteed.