San Francisco 49ers safety Ji'Ayir Brown has caught the eye of analysts after an impressive rookie season. ESPN recently highlighted Brown in their latest edition of the annual "Best Under-the-Radar Players" list, recognizing his potential to become an impactful NFL player despite his lower draft stock and inability to break into the starting lineup immediately.
ESPN writer Aaron Schatz explains that the list relies on "scouting, statistics, measurables, context, ceiling, expected role, and what we hear from other sources." The criteria include players drafted in the third round or later or signed as undrafted free agents who entered the NFL between 2021 and 2023. Eligible players must have fewer than 500 career offensive or defensive snaps (except running backs, who are allowed only 300 offensive snaps), must not have signed a contract extension, and must be 26 or younger as of September 1.
Selected out of Penn State in the third round (No. 87 overall) of last year's NFL Draft, Brown did everything asked of him during his rookie campaign. He began the season as a key contributor on special teams and was pressed into action on defense when All-Pro safety Talanoa Hufanga suffered a torn ACL.
Brown finished last season with 35 tackles, four passes defensed, and two interceptions over 15 game appearances, including five starts. He ended up playing 40 percent of the defensive snaps for the 49ers, per Pro Football Reference.
Brown came in at No. 12 among the 25 players on ESPN's list. Schatz wrote the following analysis of the young safety:
"Brown didn't play much on defense in the first half of last season but entered the lineup to replace Talanoa Hufanga when Hufanga tore his ACL in Week 11. The 49ers' defense didn't miss a beat; in fact, the 49ers defensive DVOA improved from minus-7.2% before Brown entered the lineup to minus-17.1% in the six weeks he played before he sat out in Weeks 17 and 18 due to a knee issue.
"Brown makes up for a lack of high-end speed and explosiveness with a high motor and good coverage instincts. He had 10 interceptions in two seasons as a starter at Penn State and two more last year with the 49ers. His charting coverage metrics weren't great, but the sample size was small (just 11 charted targets). Brown is more of a box safety than a center fielder, but he'll need to do more in pass coverage this year because he'll likely be playing a free safety role with Hufanga returning to play strong safety."
As he continues to develop, Brown remains a player to watch. He could become a key contributor on a defense that aims to propel the 49ers to a championship.