4 bold predictions for 49ers 2021 rookie NFL Draft class

Prediction No. 4: Talanoa Hufanga is 49ers’ starting strong safety by year’s end

The Niners wisely re-signed veteran strong safety Jaquiski Tartt to a one-year deal, although his notable injury history suggests he may not be able to fill out a full 17-game season.

With backups Tarvarius Moore and Marcell Harris unable to claim roles as potential long-term replacements for Tartt despite being given many opportunities to do so, it also made more than enough sense for San Francisco to draft USC safety Talanoa Hufanga as a possible upgrade over both Moore and Harris and someone who can fill the void if and when Tartt leaves in 2022.

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And perhaps that transition happens sooner than later.

While no one pulls for injury, the fact Tartt has missed 28 regular-season games the last four years is a realistic indicator he might not fully appear for a 17-game slate in 2021, meaning Hufanga could emerge as the favorite to take over at some point this year.

Hufanga made the most of his six games with the Trojans last year, logging four interceptions and three sacks while also serving as a hard-hitting pass-coverage enforcer in the intermediate areas of the field.

If those kinds of efforts transfer over to his NFL game sooner than later, Hufanga could easily wind up ascending to the role of starter much earlier than anticipated.

Let’s predict he does just that.