49ers NFL Draft 2021: Grades for each pick based on value

49ers draft Talanoa Hufanga, USC, at No. 180 overall

Of all the Niners’ 2021 NFL Draft picks, one should make the argument USC safety Talanoa Hufanga was the biggest potential steal.

Hufanga only got to play in six games last season because of the Pac-12’s shortened year due to COVID. But, boy, he sure made the most of his chances, racking up 40 tackles, including 5.5 for a loss, three sacks, two forced fumbles and four interceptions.

In the nature of players who are both physical and intimidating, plus always being around the ball all the time, Hufanga surely possesses those traits.

True, Hufanga might not have blazing-fast speed. But he makes up for it with quality coverage skills and already projects to have a higher ceiling than San Francisco’s other two backup strong safeties, Tarvarius Moore and Marcell Harris, who have otherwise struggled in pass coverage over their respective careers.

Since Moore and Harris aren’t likely tabbed any longer to eventually replace the starting strong safety, Jaquiski Tartt, grabbing Hufanga could end up paying off dividends nicely in the long run.

There was a good chance Hufanga would go in Round 4, instead slipping into the back end of the fifth round, maximizing the 49ers value here while adding a player who could end up being a key playmaker for the Niners for a long, long time.

Great pick.