Will the 49ers replace both starters at safety in the NFL draft?

TL;DR

The San Francisco 49ers may consider drafting two new safeties in the upcoming NFL draft due to concerns about current starters Ji’Ayir Brown and Malik Mustapha. Mock drafts suggest potential picks include Treydan Stukes and Zakee Wheatley to strengthen the secondary.

Key points

49ers have questions at safety heading into 2026
Ji’Ayir Brown and Malik Mustapha are current starters
Mock draft suggests selecting Treydan Stukes and Zakee Wheatley
New defensive coordinator Raheem Morris will evaluate starters during OTAs
Potential for three starters from first three draft picks

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NFL

San Francisco 49ers

SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 14: President of Football Operations and General Manager John Lynch of the San Francisco 49ers gives the game ball to Head Coach Kyle Shanahan in the locker room after the game against the Tennessee Titans at Levi's Stadium on December 14, 2025 in Santa Clara, California. The 49ers defeated the Titans 37-24. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images) | Getty Images The 49ers’ secondary has some questions heading into 2026. Not so much the cornerbacks as Renardo Green, Deommodore Lenoir, and slot corner Upton Stout are all but set for the season. The two safety spots manned by Ji’Ayir Brown and Malik Mustapha are where the questions begin and end. Mustapha returned from his ACL injury during 2025, and Brown had issues tackling and covering. With little to no pass rush, the safeties often had to cover more than usual. Is there a scenario where the 49ers draft two safeties and allow them to start over the two safeties from last season? I know you’re all “mocked” out, but I was able to uncover a scenario where the 49ers could draft two safeties. In my latest mock, I traded pick 27 to the Giants for pick 37 and 105. With pick 37, I selected guard Emmanuel Pregnon from Oregon to compete for the starting position. With pick 58, I selected from . Stukes is flying up the board with his versatility as a slot, outside corner, and potential safety, with ball-hawking skills. With the second pick acquired from the Giants, the 49ers added safety Zakee Wheatley from Penn State. The athletic safety is better in coverage on the back end and needs to improve near the line of scrimmage. Wheatley and Stukes would give the 49ers an excellent safety tandem, players who can cover and take the football away. In this scenario, the 49ers could have three starters with their first three picks. There haven’t been many scenarios floated where the first three picks play right away. At most, there would be two in a mock of the first three. New defensive coordinator Raheem Morris won’t be installing the defensive scheme or the starters until OTAs. Obviously, the unquestioned starters will be in there, but the two safeties could be on the hot seat. There is a chance the team could draft two safeties.

Q&A

Who are the current starting safeties for the 49ers?

The current starting safeties for the 49ers are Ji’Ayir Brown and Malik Mustapha.

What draft picks could the 49ers use to select new safeties?

In a recent mock draft, the 49ers could use pick 37 to select Treydan Stukes and pick 58 for Zakee Wheatley.

How might the 49ers' defensive strategy change with new safeties?

The addition of new safeties like Stukes and Wheatley could enhance the 49ers' coverage capabilities and improve their overall defensive performance.