It wasn't long ago that San Francisco 49ers Upton Stout was drafted with lowly expectations. He was looked upon unfavorably at the 2025 NFL Combine and was viewed as a future special teams player as a result.
Now, he's being looked to by many to make a second-year leap, and it might be his team's only hope at establishing a respectable secondary.
Stout was listed as the most likely Niner to break out in 2026 on ESPN's latest list of potential breakout candidates. While his numbers from last season didn't jump off the page, he played the tough role of defending the slot and learned quickly from mistakes. Now, he has the potential to assert himself as one of the premier nickel backs in the league.
The projection is arguably the best news Niners fans have heard all offseason, as San Francisco has done nothing to fill the gaping holes left by last season's secondary. In 2025, the 49ers allowed the eighth-most passing yards per game while giving up 45 passes of 20-plus yards.
While some of that was on the incompetent pass rush (dead last in sacks), the secondary didn't do the defense any favors.
This year, they are projected for more of the same, as various analytics sources have them tabbed as a bottom-10 secondary.
49ers appear to have faith in Upton Stout
San Francisco elected to do very little to bolster their pass protect. They drafted Washington's Ephesians Prysock in the fourth round and signed a middling Nate Hobbs, but the moves look more like depth acquisitions than true game-changers. It appears the 49ers have faith in their starting core from their vulnerable defensive backfield of last year.
If that is the case, then Stout has no choice but to reach new heights this season. He will be asked to cover for the future miscues of Renardo Green, Malik Mustapha, and Ji'Ayr Brown, all of whom are considered to be bottom-half players by PFF at their respective positions.
Stout, on the other hand, was graded favorably last season by the same metrics, even outpacing fellow cornerback Deommodore Lenoir, who many view as one of the league's upper-echelon defenders.
Regardless, it appears the Niners will be looking in-house when hoping to shore up last season's defensive woes. If they succeed, it will largely be because Stout took multiple steps forward in establishing himself as a top-tier nickel.
If they don't, however, fans can likely expect major changes coming in a year's time.
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