The San Francisco 49ers had an exciting 2023 NFL Draft, since they starting picking only in the third round, trading up to take Penn State safety Ji’Ayir Brown with their first pick.

Initially playing behind both Talanoa Hufanga and Tashaun Gipson, Brown progressed into a starting role after the former suffered a ruptured ACL, which he grew into over the course of the season.

Ending the season with 35 tackles, four pass breakups, and two interceptions, things are on the up-trend for Brown, who will try to build off a good debut season in 2024.

Speaking at the 2024 NFL Combine, general manager John Lynch was effusive in his praise of Brown, pointing out the pre-draft scouting process as to how the 49ers ultimately landed on him.

The 49ers’ quest for another last second miracle demands a deep replay.

It’s January 14th, 2012. We’re at Candlestick Park in San Francisco. With 14 seconds to go, down three, and facing a third down, the 49ers need a score to keep their playoff dreams alive – without needing to roll the dice in overtime. The Saints meanwhile can end this here with a takeaway and travel to the NFC Championship Game themselves. To understand how we got here and to appreciate what this moment signifies, we need to rewind.

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“I was real proud of Ji’Ayir,” Lynch said regarding the rookie’s debut season. “You talk about interviews, we were just talking about them earlier. He made a fantastic impression, not only on the recording but his interview was one that grabbed us.”

Now, it wasn’t an easy journey for Brown, who came in as the star of a draft class, but didn’t win early playing time as a defensive back.

However, that didn’t impact anything in the safety’s preparation, who was regarded as one of the first players out on the field back at training camp and became a contributor on special teams early.

“And I think when it’s unanimous and everyone’s got that feeling, Ji’Ayir’s a special human being, a special young man,” Lynch said about Brown. “But then he went and showed that, and nothing’s just given in our league. And Ji’Ayir didn’t whine early on when he wasn’t playing. He went and succeeded at special teams.”

“We had two guys in Huf and Gip that were pretty good players. And what he did is sit back and never wasted a day mourning the fact that he wasn’t beginning. He picked their brain, he learnt from them so that when he got his opportunity, he could shine. And that’s exactly what he did.”

Now, moving forward, the 49ers are interested to see what they can get out of Brown, not only via his ball productivity, but with his entire ability.

“We’re really encouraged about Ji’Ayir moving forward,” Lynch said. “He had a pick in the Super Bowl, but it’s a lot more than just the picks. The guy’s a stud. And we’re blessed to have him.”

With Tashaun Gipson’s future in the air, the 49ers have their replacement in Brown, who should earn a starting spot in 2024 as one of the team’s top safeties.

While depth will be vital, it seems as if the squad is in excellent hands with rookies Brown and Hufanga patrolling the backside of the secondary for the next several seasons.

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