49ers training camp: Stock up or down on Trey Lance, 2nd-year players
By Peter Panacy
49ers training camp stock watch: S Talanoa Hufanga
Former USC defensive back Talanoa Hufanga’s stock watch was already on the rise during offseason workouts weeks before training camp, thanks largely to the 49ers bidding farewell to veteran Jaquiski Tartt and essentially handing Hufanga the first-string strong safety spot.
Hufanga’s relative lack of athleticism and straight-line speed might be a liability once the regular season commences, and he has been credited with allowing some key catches off the hand of Trey Lance.
Fortunately for Hufanga, though, it’s been rare for him to allow chunk plays. That was the primary concern.
Partially, the Niners have let Hufanga play to his strengths by relegating him to in-the-box duties while allowing veteran defensive back Tarvarius Moore to assume a third-safety big-nickel role further down the field.
In tandem with free safety Jimmie Ward, this approach might work and could take advantage of Hufanga’s better attributes.
Good news for him.
Stock: Up