Third-year pro Ji'Ayir Brown struggled over the course of 2024, and the 49ers' pending rookie draft class could dampen his value even more.
There were plenty of reasons to be excited about then-rookie safety Ji'Ayir Brown back in 2023 after he ultimately was the San Francisco 49ers' top pick of that year's NFL Draft, albeit in Round 3 after having traded away the first two selections, previously, in the 2021 move-up for quarterback Trey Lance.
Brown emerged as a starter in the second half of 2023, filling in for fellow safety Talanoa Hufanga after the latter's mid-season ACL tear, going all the way through starting in the Super Bowl the following February.
However, 2024 was a wholly different level for the former Penn State Nittany Lion, and not in a good way.
Some of the data evaluating Brown can be misleading. He allowed opposing quarterbacks to post an 80.7 passer rating when targeting him in coverage, which is usually good, and those quarterbacks completed just a shade over 57 percent of their passes against him, too. Plus, Pro Football Focus graded Brown with a 64.8 mark over 17 games played, 13 of which were starts. Not bad at all.
But the mistakes and gaffes were bad enough to convince the Niners to bench Brown late in the year, a decision made easier by Hufanga's return from injuries and in light of fellow safety Malik Mustapha's sudden rise despite being a 2024 rookie himself.
Not a good look.
Entering 2025, the context has certainly changed. Hufanga departed via free agency to the Denver Broncos, while veteran Richie Grant came over, primarily to assist on special teams.
Brown might be able to reclaim his starting gig alongside Mustapha, but there's one key even that'll determine exactly how San Francisco views the third-year pro.
Ji'Ayir Brown's job is in danger depending on what 49ers do in NFL Draft
Hufanga's free-agent departure is only one of a number of key losses the 49ers suffered earlier in the offseason, and safety is far from their biggest need heading into the 2025 NFL Draft. If anything, prioritizing the defensive and offensive lines, as well as restocking the linebacker room, should be what the Niners focus on when April 24 rolls around.
If San Francisco doesn't look at adding a safety in the draft, at least early-ish in the first few rounds, it spells better news for Brown. Sure, a veteran like Grant or even George Odum might still challenge Brown for a starting gig.
But, if the 49ers are truly aiming to get younger, Brown is the best bet out of that trio.
However, if the Niners opt for either a true safety or a versatile defensive back, Brown's prospects for reclaiming his first-team job will be put into serious jeopardy.
Either way, San Francisco's actions at the position will say a lot about how it feels about Brown's ability to bounce back from what was otherwise a disappointing finish to 2024.
And what his future with the team might be.