The 49ers' rookie minicamp allowed sneak peaks into Malik Mustapha's defensive versatility, Ricky Pearsall's route running and Jacob Cowing's. punt-return potential.
SANTA CLARA – Malik Mustapha lurked in the secondary as he debuted on the 49ers’ practice field at rookie minicamp.
No hitting was allowed, so there’s only so much a player can do for a first impression.
Seeing Mustapha patrol the field and communicate loudly made imaginations run wild, such as: maybe this guy’s versatility and violence will pan out as advertised.
“With safeties today and defensive backs today, you have to be versatile, even linebackers. It’s such a fast game and offenses look to expose you,” defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen said Friday. “We like when guys have versatility. We also just loved his playing style.”
Mustapha is 5-foot-10, 209 pounds. He’s drawn high-end comparisons to safeties of similar stature, such as the Arizona Cardinals’ Budda Baker (5-10, 195), ex-49ers star Donte Whitner (5-10, 204) and ex-Colts mainstay Bob Sanders (5-8, 206).
“When I see the ball, I’m just going to go attack it and disrupt it any way I can,” Mustapha said. “It’s not about how tall and big I am, but about having the heart and desire. The fuel and love I have for this game drives me to be that way.”
At Wake Forest, Mustapha returned in 2022 from an anterior cruciate ligament tear and thrived as “The Panther” who roamed in a newly installed defensive package.
“There were a lot of hats I had to wear,” Mustapha recalled. “It was fire-zone (blitz) calls, to pressure the quarterback and use my athleticism to disrupt him, or to spy on the quarterback, as well.”
More simply, Mustapha proved adept at blending into the defensive front, or with linebackers, or as a third safety. That later role is most likely in the 49ers’ scheme, amid incumbent starters Talanoa Hufanga and Ji’Ayir Brown.
Mustapha spoke eloquently at 49ers’ rookie minicamp, just as he did at the NFL scouting combine to general manager John Lynch.
“He was lighting up when I was breaking down the Wake Forest play calls they had pulled up,” Mustapha said. “As a safety you have to know moving pieces, who’s doing what on defense. He saw I know what I’m talking about.”
Lynch, after the draft, said of Mustapha: “We talk a lot about running to the football and getting there with bad intentions and Malik kind of embodies that. One of our favorite interviews, one of my favorite interviews at the Combine. He really handles himself well, but on the field plays the right way.”
PEARSALL LOOKS THE PART
Ricky Pearsall fit the profile of a pro-ready receiver and potential punt returner. He broke open on a go-route, only to get slightly overthrown by undrafted rookie Tanner Mordecai. Later, when Pearsall came out of his break near the right sideline, tryout-QB Mitch Davidson’s pass already was sailing past him out of bounds – and Davidson promptly signaled to himself accepting blame.
Soon enough, Pearsall will be catching passes from Brock Purdy (and Josh Dobbs and Brandon Allen). The rest of the 49ers are in Phase 2 of their offseason program. Organized team activities begin May 20, then training camp about two months later. Then a plentiful career in the NFL.
GREEN INSIDE/OUT
Second-round pick Renardo Green will intensify the cornerback competition heading into this season. Initially, he’ll be trained on the inside to cover slot receivers, though he lined up at left cornerback in Friday’s early drills.
“We’ll start him out inside and see what he can do in there. If you can retain it, you want to learn it earlier,” Sorensen said. “We know what Demo (Lenoir) can do. Sammy Womack’s done a good job the last couple weeks, and so has Kemon Hall. (Green) will get some work outside, too.”
PUNI CAN PROTECT PURDY
Offensive lineman Dominick Puni, a third-round pick, has the strength and versatility to potentially play anywhere, though right guard might be his most immediate shot. Regardless of where he might be, he knows the assignment on who to protect. “I love Brock Purdy. The fact he was the last pick, that’s storybook,” Puni said. “When the other two quarterbacks went down, he came in the (2022) Miami game and won that game. I said, ‘Watch him, he’s going to cook.’ Then he started cooking.”
PUNT RETURN PROSPECTS
Pearsall and fourth-rounder Jacob Cowing fielded punts, and although Cowing muffed two early opportunities, he envisions big things for himself in that role. “It’s about getting better at that aspect of catching, getting comfortable, trying to get the ball down the field and trying to go score a touchdown,” Cowing said. “I heard it’s been over a decade it hasn’t been accomplished. That’s definitely one of my goals this year.” Indeed, the 49ers’ last touchdown on a punt return came in the 2011 opener by Ted Ginn Jr.
MOST GRACIOUS PLAYER
Linebacker Tatum Bethune, a seventh-round pick and the last member of the 49ers’ eight-man draft class, called the rookie minicamp “a life-changing experience. … This is something I always dreamed of, and now I just have to make the most of it. I feel if I go out there and be myself, once I do that, whatever results come with that, I’ll be satisfied I gave everything I have.”
BEST UNDRAFTED SIGNEE
Center Drake Nugent’s 6-foot-1, 298-pound frame and power will be worth watching in the upcoming months. The 49ers need a backup center to Jake Brendel, and Nugent is coming off a national championship with Michigan, after he transferred from Stanford. Honorable mention in this category: tight end Mason Pline.
BEST AUDITION
Defensive tackle Shakel Brown (6-foot-3, 295 pounds) looked worthy of a callback, and he responded perfectly to a do-over on a drill with position coach Kris Kocurek. Brown was cut by the Tennessee Titans last May after spending 2022 on Injured Reserve as an undrafted player from Troy.
FAMILY TIES, PART I
It was a sentimental scene watching a wide receiver in an “Owens” jersy run routes on the practice field. Twenty years after Terrell Owens left the franchise, his son, Terique, wore No. 84. Wide receivers coach Leonard Hankerson tutored the younger Owens’ footwork on a three-cone drill, and such advice is what the undrafted rookie anticipates and needs.
FAMILY TIES, PART II
Puni takes great pride in the fact he didn’t allow a sack last season upon replacing his brother as Kansas’ left tackle. His pride in his entire family runs deep.
Said Puni: “They’re the reason I’m genetically the way I am, so I thank them for that. My dad playing football and him teaching me the game – my whole time growing up, until high school, he coached me. He really taught me hard work and how to do everything the right way; don’t take short cuts. My mom, she played sports, too, but outside of sports – I can’t cuss, can I? – she worked her butt off and had three jobs at one point. Just the fact she was able to do that for us, and for my dad to coach me growing up, our family aspect is a huge thing. It’s cool.”
