Brown shares insightful advice he gave 49ers rookie Mustapha

Brown shares insightful advice he gave 49ers rookie Mustapha originally appeared in NBC Sports Bay Area

As the 49ers begin their offseason conditioning program with organized team activities, second-year safety Ji’Ayir Brown has some advice for rookie Malik Mustapha.

Speaking to the media after the second day of OTAs, Brown was asked what advice he would give to fellow safety Mustapha, who was also a rookie.

“I was actually talking to him earlier today and I said, ‘Take your time,’” Brown said. “Don’t try to rush it, it’s a process. You’re not just going to go into the field and know everything. I didn’t do it, I don’t think [anybody] He already stepped onto the field in his debut year and knew everything. So, take your time and enjoy, enjoy the little moments.”

Brown has had a wild ride since San Francisco selected him with the No. 87 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, going from backup to starter after Talanoa Hufanga mid-season knee injury and even defeating Kansas City Chief quarterback Patrick Mahomes in Super Bowl LVIII.

Mustafa shone lots of potentiall during his college career at Wake Forest, playing a versatile hybrid safety role for the Demon Deacons, and the 49ers are hopeful he will become a difference-maker on defense after taking him 124th overall in the 2024 Draft of the NFL.

While Hufanga recovers from an ACL injury, Mustapha will have plenty of opportunities throughout the remainder of the offseason program to make an impact and impress the 49ers brass.

In the pass-heavy world of the modern NFL, the safety position is critical to the defense’s ability to prevent big pass plays. Mustapha’s athleticism will make him a tough matchup for any wide receiver if he can get used to the speed of the pro game.

Given the looming free agency decisions the 49ers will face in the coming years, drafting strong players with late draft picks is critical to maintaining the strong level of defense that San Francisco has been known for in recent seasons.

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