Niners Nation
We look at a few different names, including a former Robert Saleh and Gus Bradley safety
During his post-draft press conference, general manager John Lynch said, “We’ll see. We’re always looking to improve our team,” when asked about potentially adding somebody as a free agent now that free agents aren’t counted against teams’ compensatory formula.
The San Francisco 49ers drafted two drafted “inside” players and signed Jason Pinnock, Siran Neal, and Richie Grant in free agency. Those off-season investments make sense in light of a report over the weekend indicating that Malik Mustapha may miss the start of the 2025 regular season.
Pinnock started for the New York Giants the past two seasons at safety. Richie Grant started for the Falcons in 2022 and 2023 but lost his job in 2024. How often do (bad) teams let quality starters like Pinnock walk in free agency? Pinnock signing a deal worth $2.2 million fully guaranteed tells us what the NFL thinks about his prospects.
So, if Mustapha misses anywhere from a month to two months, should the 49ers sign a veteran safety or rely on a third or fifth-round pick combined with a couple of veteran safeties who their teams let walk?
The 49ers don’t have to make any decision today, tomorrow, or by the end of the week. It would be wise to see what they have in Upton Stout and Marques Sigle. If they can hold the fort down while Mustapha is sidelined, signing a veteran when a rookie can earn valuable playing time would be detrimental to their development.
Let’s look at a couple of names who could help the 49ers if they feel like their current cast of safeties isn’t up to par.
Whitehead would be the most seamless transition. He started every game under Robert Saleh in New York in 2022 and 2023. Whitehead’s play took a step back last season in Tampa Bay, but his usage changed. If anybody knows how to put Whitehead in a position to succeed, it’s Saleh.
The Buccaneers elected not to pick up Whitehead’s option. Whitehead dealt with a torn pectoral muscle in 2024, which led him to miss multiple games, including Tampa Bay’s playoff game. On January 4, Whitehead was involved in an automobile accident on his way to the team facility that caused him to be placed on a non-football injury. The only information to come from the accident was Whitehead’s agent saying he was “ahead of schedule.”
Simmons played 98 percent of the defensive snaps for the Atlanta Falcons last year. He has a particular role where he thrives, and that’s free safety. Unfortunately, the same is true for Ji’Ayir Brown. While they can play there, neither player gets better the closer they are to the line of scrimmage.
Simmons is far from a sure tackler, which might scare the 49ers away from him. In 2024, Simmons missed a tackle attempt on nearly 26 percent of his opportunities. That’s how you...
