49ers training camp: What we learned with Week 1 in the books

What we learned from 49ers training camp: Talanoa Hufanga looks comfortable as a starter

The biggest changes to the 49ers defense this season is in the secondary, and especially the decision to allow Jaquiski Tartt to walk in free agency and allow second-year player Talanoa Hufanga to have the first crack at starting safety.

Earlier, it was highlighted how Jake Brendel struggled in his chance to make the center position his own, but this hasn’t been the case with Hufanga.

Grant Cohn from Sports Illustrated may be controversial to some, but he keeps a good eye on the team in training camp and gave a few glowing testaments to Hufanga. Firstly on Day 2:

"Broke up a pass intended for Jauan Jennings after chasing him across the field. Lance had been sacked, but it’s practice so he extended the play and tried to complete a pass downfield, but Hufanga stuck with it and beat the receiver to the ball."

And also on Day 3:

"Intercepted Trey Lance (more on him below). Lance stared down his first read, George Kittle, who never turned to find the pass (more on him below as well). Hufanga anticipated the throw and picked it off with ease. So far, Hufanga has played quite well in camp and has given up zero big plays."

The Niners have been able to find quite a few draft gems in the past, and in the first week of training camp, Hufanga is showing he’s worthy of getting a chance to show that he’s the latest in a string of steals for San Francisco.