49ers training camp: Each position's top battle to watch in 2023
By Peter Panacy
Top 49ers safety battle: Starting free safety
Players in the mix: Tashaun Gipson, Ji'Ayir Brown
Yet another example of a rookie coming in and trying to take over a veteran's job.
A year ago, though, then-newly acquired veteran defensive back Tashaun Gipson was brought in by San Francisco to fill in for an injured Jimmie Ward at free safety. But Gipson played so well that Ward was forced to bump down to nickel cornerback upon his return.
Then, this offseason, the 49ers elected to re-sign the older, cheaper Gipson instead of retaining Ward, who ultimately chose the Houston Texans in free agency.
That would be fine, but Gipson is also going to be 33 years old when the season starts. That's old, and it helps explain why the Niners used their first pick of the 2023 NFL Draft on Gipson's likely replacement, former Penn State defensive back Ji'Ayir Brown.
Read more: Ji'Ayir Brown is the rookie 49ers fans should watch most in training camp
Most of San Francisco's 2023 draft class was intended for depth and potential long-term replacements, but Brown is one of the few who could potentially start on day one.
That'll be a fun competition to watch in camp and the preseason.