Before training camp started, the San Francisco 49ers' safety position was perhaps the biggest area of concern for general manager John Lynch and Co.
With Malik Mustapha out until mid-season rehabbing a torn ACL from last season, multiple starting spots were available between a host of players. Most expected the Niners' third-round pick from 2023 and last year's starter, J'Ayir Brown, to take one of the safety positions with free-agent signing Jason Pinnock taking the other.
But as training camp has progressed, rookie Marques Sigle has thrown a wrench into this plan, playing his way into a potential starting spot.
With Sigle leap-frogging his way to the top, and Pinnock still the likely partner until Mustapha recovers, that would leave at most two spots left at safety on the initial roster.
While many would expect Brown to make that cut, the 49ers might instead choose to cut bait with their former top pick from 2023.
Why would the 49ers release Ji'Ayir Brown?
Brown, for starters, has not particularly excelled in training camp. Though he has been solid, that has not separated him from the other players he is competing against. That alone puts his roster spot in jeopardy.
But, more importantly, the Niners would be able to keep high-performers at other positions, notably the cornerback room, by cutting Brown.
The 49ers could keep veteran defensive back Siran Neal, who has played at both corner and safety, giving them the flexibility to keep players who otherwise would not be able to pass through waivers. The Niners would be able to potentially keep Chase Lucas, who has lit up preseason games, or rookie Jakob Robinson, an undrafted free agent who has been one of the best coverage players in training camp.
Though releasing a top option at a major position of need would be a bold move by Lynch, waiving Brown might be the best way for the 49ers to build out the best 53-man roster they can.
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