49ers NFL Draft: Ranking each rookie by projected 2021 impact

49ers Rookie No. 8: Talanoa Hufanga, Safety

I really love Talanoa Hufanga as a prospect, in fact, I even wrote an article proclaiming him to potentially be the biggest potential steal of the 49ers draft class. Hufanga was massively productive last year for USC despite an abbreviated season, and that certainly influenced him being drafted.

But this isn’t something that’ll happen overnight. Hufanga will compete to be the backup safety and look to find a role on special teams in the meantime.

Luckily for Hufanga, the Niners don’t have a lot of depth when it comes to strong safety which will be the position that he’ll be fighting for. Jaquiski Tartt was retained for a short-term deal, but whether or not the team has any interest in retaining him beyond this season remains to be seen.

If Hulanga impresses, he can start in 2022.

But it’ll take an injury for him to be a starter this year most likely. Special teams remain the biggest opportunity for him to contribute in 2021.