CAPTAIN SANTA CLARA: The San Francisco 49ers’ final pre-camp practice had two noteworthy summits.
First, defensive end Nick Bosa and running back Christian McCaffrey hugged and laughed with left tackle Trent Williams, who had missed the first minicamp session on Tuesday due to his daughter’s graduation. A plethora of All-Pro talent was there in the southwest corner of the 49ers’ practice grounds for approximately five minutes.
49ers All-Pros reunited pic.twitter.com/3SlCNmKpJS
— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) June 5, 2024
After about thirty minutes, 49ers general manager John Lynch watched the 11-on-11 portion of practice from his usual spot. About forty yards from the line of scrimmage, in center field, is where the Hall of Fame safety likes to observe. Lynch is able to watch plays unfold from the perspective he became used to over his 15-year NFL career because to that angle.
Lynch usually watches practices by himself, but on Wednesday he was joined by someone. He was surrounded by cornerbacks Charvarius Ward and Deommodore Lenoir, as well as safeties Talanoa Hufanga and Ji’Ayir Brown.
While Brown and Lenoir had practiced earlier in the spring, they did not take part in Wednesday’s 11-on-11 work, which allowed for the DB summit with Lynch, Hufanga and Ward had to spend OTAs and minicamp recovering from operations.
“For me, it’s awesome, because we have a Hall of Fame safety that’s our general manager,” Hufanga said. “Anytime you have a question, you go to him. You learn from him. You’re a sponge. You absorb knowledge. The coolest thing is seeing Ji’Ayir come along with it, too. Because now he’s understanding who our GM really is. He understands ball. He’s played at a high level.”
Hufanga claimed Lynch provides insightful big-picture view in addition to offering advice and nuggets following certain plays.
“Because as a GM, he needs to know the offensive and the defensive side of the ball, the concepts, where the scheme hits, missed plays,” Hufanga said. “So (the big picture) helps us our defense.”
After tearing his ACL in November of last year, Hufanga hopes to be back for the 49ers’ season opener against the New York Jets on September 9. Given his desire to avoid returning to practice too soon, Hufanga may still be wrapping up his rehabilitation in time for training camp’s first session next month. Even if he has not returned on the field yet, the safety is advising patience and highlighting the fact that there has been substantial improvement on the cerebral front.
“The amount of film I watch is second to none,” Hufanga said. “That’s one thing I pride myself on. I wasn’t the most athletic person, so being one step ahead film-wise, it’s a mental game for me.”
In 2022, Hufanga’s first season as a 49ers full-time starter, he was named an All-Pro. Ten games were completed by him prior to his 2023 injury. The sample size was sufficient for Lynch to provide some insightful feedback that Hufanga has included.
“A lot of times last year, I would get into a rhythm of playing the call instead of being myself — what (Lynch) would say, playing my vision,” Hufanga said. “I want to be an instinctive player and not have to rely on a call. So that was really cool to have John in my ear, teaching me that. Knowing what my strengths are, play to them.”
Hufanga has been watching elite safety from all across the NFL as part of his extensive video study; he has not just watched guys who play in defenses that are comparable to the 49ers’ scheme.
“I can watch guys doing higher-level stuff across the board,” Hufanga said. “I watch Antoine Winfield, Derwin James, Minkah Fitzpatrick. You’re watching all their great attributes and your goal is to put it into a player on your team.”
The 49ers appeared certain to add a seasoned safety to their roster earlier in the offseason. Rayshawn Jenkins, who was worked out by them, signed a contract with the Seattle Seahawks. It was recently revealed that he was also given a contract by the 49ers. Julian Blackmon, who re-signed with the Indianapolis Colts, was also welcomed by them. During the NFL owners’ meetings in April, Lynch mentioned that the 49ers had maintained communication with Tashaun Gipson Sr., a seasoned safety who had spent the previous two seasons with the team.
In the two months since, the 49ers drafted Wake Forest safety Malik Mustapha, but they’ve yet to make another move at the position. Some big names, including Justin Simmons and Jamal Adams, remain available at the position in what’s been a relatively slow year for the safety market.
However, it is possible that the 49ers are content enough with Hufanga’s healing process and the growth of their young players to take a pass.
On Wednesday, Hufanga was undoubtedly complimentary of both teammates.
“He’s beefy,” Hufanga said of the 5-10, 206-pound Mustapha. “That dude might be able to out-lift everyone. He’s like a mini-Dre (Greenlaw), the way he walks around with his presence. Twitchy, athletic, smart and really just a guy who’s about his business and gets things done.”
Hufanga turned his focus to Brown at that point. He is been studying tapes of Brown and himself from 2023 while pondering how to improve their cohesiveness when things get back to normal in 2024.
“With Ji’Ayir, the light is never too bright for him,” Hufanga said. “For me, it’s being a student of the game, learning, evolving, trying to be the best part of this team.”
Odds & ends
• For the past two seasons, Nick Sorensen has overseen the 49ers’ weekly meeting known as “The Ball,” which focuses on creating takeaways and preventing giveaways. However, Sorensen will now hand off that responsibility to assistant and former Los Angeles Chargers head coach Brandon Staley, who joined the 49ers staff earlier this offseason, as he has been promoted to defensive coordinator.
Over the previous two seasons, the 49ers lead the NFL in turnover differential, and Sorensen stated he is not downplaying the significance of having the ball in his larger role.
“I still stress the heck out of it every meeting,” he said. “I think it’s something that permeates throughout the whole thing. That’s the most important thing.”
• 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy had the most impressive play of practice when he lofted a flawless 30-yard pass to Deebo Samuel Sr., hitting the receiver directly in front of the sideline. As he threw, Purdy was receding back and to his left, avoiding the pass rush. The pass outran Samuel Womack III, the cornerback.
Ricky Pearsall, a rookie wide receiver for the 49ers, was the first to congratulate Samuel on his impressive sideline gain.
• Fred Warner, a linebacker, appears enthusiastic about Dee Winters, a second-year linebacker. When asked who of the team’s young players at his position has impressed the most throughout the offseason, Warner answered without hesitation.
“I think Dee has probably had the best OTA,” Warner said. “He’s really come along. I think last year as a rookie, he was really struggling to learn the plays, trying to get in shape. All those little things that you’ve got to learn as a professional. He’s come in this year and just been on it. Making plays left and right. He came in great shape these OTAs. He’s set himself up to have a great training camp.”
Come training camp, Winters is expected to fight for snaps alongside rookie Tatum Bethune and fellow second-year linebacker Jalen Graham, among others.
Why The top two 49ers draft picks in 2024 faced off on a rep in the slot on a single play on Wednesday. The first-round selection of the team, Pearsall, faced second-round cornerback Renardo Green. Purdy threw the football somewhere else during a fiercely competitive rep that came next.
Best 11-on-11 rep of minicamp, IMO:
Positioned in the slot, Ricky Pearsall was matched in close coverage with Renardo Green. With a nice post move and perhaps a tiny push, Pearsall made it, and Green grabbed some jersey and followed closely behind him. Purdy tossed it away.
That was a real NFL rep.
— Tim Kawakami (@timkawakami) June 5, 2024
“I wish we could have one-on-ones, but with the CBA you can’t,” Sorensen said, referring to rules that limit the scope of springtime NFL practices. “So you look for those opportunities.”
When the 49ers play next, Sorensen should get his wish. It will be the end of July. It will be an exercise camp. Furthermore, one-on-ones, which are among the most eagerly awaited reps of the summer, will now be permitted.
(Top photo of Talanoa Hufanga: Harry How / Getty Images)
