Where 49ers star Hufanga ranks among NFL safeties, according to ESPN originally appeared in NBC Sports Bay Area
Talanoa Hufanga is looking at return to form as one of the best safeties in the NFL, and many league executives, coaches and scouts believe he will.
In The latest ESPN positional rankingsHufanga ranked ninth among safeties, with those around the NFL noting the 24-year-old’s competitive nature.
“Hufanga is a playmaker,” an NFL scout told Fowler. “But I don’t love him in coverage. [He] you have to play from top to bottom on the ball. But he’s incredibly instinctive and physical in this role.”
“He plays with a great edge, has a good football spirit,” an NFC scout told Fowler.
Hufanga was one of the cities of San Francisco biggest game creators on the defensive side of the ball last season, before tearing the LCA in week 11. Before the All-Pro went down last season, the 49ers defense gave up 15.7 points per game, and without him, San Francisco gave up 21.8 points per game (including the playoffs). The injury allowed Ji’Ayir Brown to get much-needed playing time, giving the 49ers two solid options at safety.
San Francisco’s vaunted defense struggled at times in the 2024 NFL Playoffs, giving up big plays and letting opposing attacks score at will. With Hufanga back to health, the 49ers defense will look to continue its dominance once the regular season begins.
The 24-year-old joins many of his teammates ESPN positional rankings, as the 49ers have a player ranked in the top 10 on every list so far.
