The San Francisco 49ers are 3-0, thanks in large part to the solid play of their defense led by coordinator Robert Saleh.
Struggling safety Ji'Ayir Brown has started to play better due to some inventiveness from Saleh.
Last season, Brown took a step back in his sophomore campaign. He looked good in his rookie year as he had to fill in for injured safety Talanoa Hufanga, but Brown struggled in year two without defensive coordinator Steve Wilks, who had a background working with defensive backs.
Coming into his third year, it seemed very important that Brown recapture his form from his rookie season, especially with San Francisco missing 2024 breakout rookie safety Malik Mustapha.
With the defense adding safety Jason Pinnock in the offseason and the emergence of rookie Marques Sigle, it seemed like the writing was on the wall for Brown and that he could be on his way out the door in San Francisco.
Yet, Saleh did not give up on him and instead has gotten creative to keep Brown involved in the defense.
Robert Saleh has a unique use for Ji'Ayir Brown
Beginning in Week 2, Saleh utilized Brown in a sort of hybrid linebacker and "big nickel" role. The "big nickel package" is a type of defense that allows the team to have four defensive linemen, two linebackers, and five defensive backs with one of those DBs being a safety who fills that hybrid role.
The thinking is this player will be better able to defend big-bodied wide receivers or tight ends. Saleh used this same strategy in Week 3 against the Arizona Cardinals, which makes sense since one of Arizona's top offensive weapons is tight end Trey McBride.
Nicholas McGee of Niners Nation has noted that Brown stood out from that position in Week 3 and took some pressure off rookie cornerback Upton Stout, who is the usual nickel cornerback for the team.
Saleh may have to lean on this sort of creativity more, especially with defensive end Nick Bosa out for the rest of the season. The coordinator is going to have to vary the looks the defense gives opponents, so as long as Brown continues to look good in this role, expect to see him out there.
It may be something of a demotion for Brown, but he still maintains that he is a top-five safety in the NFL.
That seems a bit extreme, but if this new role helps him get back on track, then maybe he will see him return to the safety position in the future.