What 49ers can expect from Day 3 NFL Draft picks
By Peter Panacy
49ers Round 5 draft pick: S Talanoa Hufanga, USC
Of all the 49ers’ day-three draft picks, USC safety Talanoa Hufanga is probably going to be the biggest fan favorite.
Hufanga made the most of the Trojans’ alleviated campaign last year, registering four interceptions and three sacks over just six games in 2020, and his hard-hitting ways prompted many NFL Draft analysts to suggest he easily could have been a Round 4 pick.
From that regard, the Niners would like to think they got a steal.
San Francisco’s safety depth chart is crowded but still has a lot of question marks. Behind the starters, Jimmie Ward and Jaquiski Tartt, the 49ers are looking at reserves like Tarvarius Moore, Marcell Harris and Tavon Wilson, among others, who’ll be competing for a likely four spots on the 53-man roster.
Hufanga has solid coverage skills, unlike Moore and Harris, so that could potentially give him an edge there. And the fact he was constantly around the ball during his time with USC suggests he’ll be a valuable defensive addition should he impress enough during training camp.
That’ll be the hope, and it might be easy enough for Hufanga to surpass players like Moore and Harris between now and Week 1.
If so, Hufanga likely works his way towards becoming a backup strong safety to support the oft-injured Tartt.