Rookie Safety Ji'Ayir Brown can Become a Starter for the 49ers in 2023

Finding a starter for the 2023 season in the NFL draft was always going to be a stretch for the San Francisco 49ers.

Even their kicker Jake Moody, whom they drafted in the third round, isn't a lock to be the starter. All it takes is a poor showing in training camp and the preseason for the 49ers to pivot to Zane Gonzalez. However, there is one player the 49ers drafted who has the best chance to carve himself out a starting role in 2023. That player is Penn State safety Ji'Ayir Brown. He can easily become a starter for the 49ers this year.

Now, I would be hard pressed to say he can become one immediately by Week 1 of the regular season. I doubt that happens at all. But what I do envision as a fairly realistic scenario is over the course of the season, Brown shows tremendous resolve with his limited opportunities. Whether that is on special teams and/or some snaps on the defense. All it takes is for the 49ers to see if he is a player that they are comfortable with trotting out there. They are already incredibly high on the player that he is, so he definitely has a shot.

“He’s a baller," John Lynch said. "I think he’s got the components of what I think makes up a Niner. We had a consensus, from coaches to scouts, it was all around the building. He really solidified that with this tape but then he came here on a 30 visit and he’s just got this infectious personality. I know something has been made about him not running a real fast 40. Our R&D department has some of the fastest times amongst the safety stack, so I think he plays fast. He’s good up towards the ball. Ball production, 10 interceptions over the last couple of years."

It all starts with proving he can be useful enough to be rolled out on defense in a limited capacity. If he is good enough, then they will figure out a way to implement him on the field even for just a handful of snaps. Should he prove to be an impact player, do not be surprised if he dethrones Tashaun Gipson as the starter. The 49ers drafted Brown to take over Gipson's starting spot eventually.

That "eventually" can occur this season if Brown is looking sweet and Gipson takes a dive from last season or gets injured. Gipson can easily be replaced in that manner, especially because of his contract. The 49ers re-signed him to a one-year deal for $2.9 million. He isn't guaranteed a starting role for an entire season by any means. Should his performance dip from last season and/or he sustains an injury, then Brown can swoop in and keep a hold of it.

It won't be easy for him at all, especially because Kyle Shanahan has a low tolerance for rookie mistakes. So, if Brown isn't looking the part early on, then the plug will be pulled on him without hesitation. He's got to hit the ground running and will need a little help from Gipson to get him into the starting lineup. At least, he's got the excitement and eye on him from the front office and coaching staff.

"He’s just a really good football player and then when you add the person, he’s a team captain, like Steve Wilks said, ‘that’s my dude right there.’ Everybody in the building wanted that guy."