49ers bolster secondary with Malik Mustapha

The San Francisco 49ers selected Wake Forest safety Malik Mustapha in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, No. 124 overall.

Mustapha had 175 total tackles and three interceptions in three seasons with the Demon Deacons.

Pre-draft profile

Teams in the market for a box safety won't find a purer prospect than Mustapha. The Wake Forest safety looks most natural coming downhill into the box or the backfield. Mustapha may be the best pure tackling safety in this year's class, too, which he shows off while locking onto targets with ease. Ball-carriers rarely break his tackles. His instincts in the box are also quite good. And while he shows adequate ability in coverage, he will likely get exposed there if left on his own at the next level. His athleticism doesn't project to be sufficient to keep up with receivers when he has to turn his hips upfield or chase crossers entering his space. His lack of length also leaves him victim to some missed diving arm tackles. But when it comes to squaring up targets head-on, Mustapha is as clinical as they come.