The San Francisco 49ers may wind up needing to add some safety help in the offseason.
They’re set to take one small step in that process by retaining undrafted rookie safety Jaylen Mahoney on a reserve/future contract according to the Draft Network’s Justin Melo. A reserve/future deal means Mahoney will have a spot on the 90-man roster going into the offseason.
San Francisco signed Mahoney out of Vanderbilt following the 2024 draft and he spent virtually the entire season on their practice squad. The 24-year-old appeared in three games and posted three special teams tackles. He didn’t log a defensive snap.
Mahoney played five years at Vanderbilt and logged 247 tackles, seven tackles for loss, 4.0 sacks, four interceptions and 18 pass breakups in 54 games.
He’s on the outside looking in at a roster spot going into the offseason, but he should have a real shot to carve out a role in a thin safety room. Talanoa Hufanga is a free agent this offseason and may get priced out of what San Francisco is willing to pay at safety. Ji’Ayir Brown had an up-and-down second year and it doesn’t appear he has a stranglehold on a starting job. Even if Brown and 2024 rookie Malik Mustapha are the team’s starters next season, their depth at the position isn’t great.
If Mahoney has a good offseason and training camp, he could quickly turn his reserve/future deal into a long-term role with the 49ers.
[lawrence-auto-related count=3]