Why 49ers' Malik Mustapha was among insider's favorite 4th-round draft picks

The San Francisco 49ers made three fourth-round selections in the 2024 NFL Draft, the first of which was former Wake Forest safety Malik Mustapha. ESPN's NFL insider, Field Yates, compiled his list of the five selections he liked the most for each round, factoring in value, fit, and what the player brings to the table.

Mustapha was among Yates' list of rookies that impressed him in the fourth round. The two-year starting safety delivered 80 tackles, including five for a loss, 0.5 sacks, two passes defensed, an interception, and a forced fumble through 12 games in 2023.

"No player in the draft packed more pound-for-pound punch than Mustapha, who fearlessly flies around to deliver big hits at 5-10, 209 pounds," Yates wrote. "I remember the first game I watched of Mustapha, thinking in that moment that he at the very least had a chance to become a difference-maker as a core special teamer. That was the floor. The ceiling is much higher, as he can be a defensive impact player for a 49ers team that needed safeties."

In 2022, Mustapha recorded a career-high 3.5 sacks. When asked if he enjoys being part of blitz packages, the safety responded, "Oh, I enjoy it a lot. Just being able to be downhill fast, make the quarterback get off the read really fast, and react really fast. It's something that kind of disgruntles the quarterback, but it's something that I enjoy doing a lot, so I definitely don't shy away from blitzing."

Mustapha becomes the second safety drafted by the 49ers in as many years. The team added Ji'Ayir Brown in 2023, who ended up starting five regular-season games and two playoff games after Talanoa Hufanga suffered a season-ending ACL injury. San Francisco's other starter, Tashaun Gipson, remains a free agent.

This week, Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times reported that the 49ers are leaving open the door to signing former Seattle Seahawks safety Jamal Adams. Although, it is unclear how interested the team is in the All-Pro defensive back.

"Sources said the San Francisco 49ers are among other teams who have kept in touch with Adams, so the Seahawks could have some competition for the former All-Pro safety, who is still just 28 years old," wrote Condotta.