The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects who could be selected by the Green Bay Packers in the 2024 NFL draft.
If the Green Bay Packers were to play a game tomorrow, they’d trot out Anthony Johnson Jr. and Benny Sapp as their starting safeties with no depth behind them. On top of that their starting nickel cornerback, Keisean Nixon is set to hit the open market.
A player who could provide depth at both spots for the Packers is Malik Mustapha. The Wake Forest defensive back checks in at No. 93 in the Unpacking Future Packers Countdown.
Mustapha, a native of North Carolina, started his collegiate career at Richmond before transferring to Wake Forest. During his first season at Wake Forest in 2021, he recorded two tackles for loss and a pair of interceptions. The following season he recorded 58 tackles, eight tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and three pass deflections. This past season, Mustapha recorded 80 tackles, five tackles for loss and an interception.
In a recent interview with Mustapha, the versatile defensive back told Packers Wire that his time at Wake Forest helped shape him as a leader.
“Those years meant everything to me,” Mustapha said. “They shaped me as a player and most importantly as a leader. Going to war with my guys day in and day out was something I never got tired of. The brotherhood I formed there was something that I will never forget. The relationships I formed are gonna be there for a lifetime.”
It will be worth monitoring Mustapha’s measurements at the Senior Bowl. In a recent social media post, they listed him at 5-9. Mustapha said that he overcomes that “lack” of size with his toughness and physicality.
🚨 2024 Senior Bowl Roster🚨
American Team Defensive Backs coached by @Titans Coach Justin Hamilton and @ChicagoBears Coach Kenny Norton III.#MIZ @KD1ERA#GoCards @Jarvisbrownlee3#GoDeacs @walkinseatbelt#WarEagle @Djames00x#ForBoston Elijah Jones#BBN @AndruPhillips… pic.twitter.com/S5KhJQTrTI— Reese's Senior Bowl (@seniorbowl) January 25, 2024
“My physicality is a strength of mine,” Mustapha said. “As a smaller defensive back, I have to separate myself from the rest, and being able to out physical my opponents is a plus for me. I have to be able to compete with big tight ends and even some stocky running backs, so being able to lean on my physicality as a strength helps me in those 1-on-1 battles.”
Mustapha comes with a ton of versatility and Wake Forest took full advantage of that skillset by moving him around. Over the past two seasons, Mustapha has logged 586 snaps in the box, 226 snaps at safety and 321 snaps in the slot.
#WakeForest Safety Malik Mustapha is one of the few senior safeties heading to the Senior Bowl and he flies to the football. Has versatility to play in the box, from the slot, w/range to make plays in vertical passing game.
Compact, first to ball, can guard TE’s and slot WR’s. pic.twitter.com/uA4ArjzzIi
— Devin Jackson (@RealD_Jackson) January 21, 2024
“I have the intangibles to play safety at a high level but it’s being able to move me at different spots is what separates me from the rest,” Mustapha said. “Whether I’m the single high safety, slot corner, in the box, or even at the line of scrimmage playing defensive end or spying the quarterback. I view myself as a Swiss Army knife and someone who’s gonna give opposing teams trouble to scout against on the field. I’m not a one-dimensional player. I play defense and wherever you put me on the field I’m going to produce.”
Mustapha seems to be at his best playing downhill and closer to the line of scrimmage. That’s where his physicality really shines through. He has a high football IQ and is quick to diagnose the action in front of him. Once he sees it, he flies downhill in run support. He plays with a thumper mentality and lays the wood upon arrival.
“I play with a downhill tenacity and I’m physical,” Mustapha said. “I’m able to get a good feel on the run. Being able to see the play develop and trusting my film study allows me to make plays in the run game in a fast and physical manner.”
While Mustapha thrives playing downhill, he’s a rangy enough athlete to cover real estate in the backend. He has the quickness and fluidity to match up with shifty wide receivers and the physicality to match up with tight ends.
“I have the speed to keep up with pretty much anybody,” Mustapha said. “Something I wasn’t able to show a lot because of the scheme at Wake Forest but the times I did I was pretty productive and made plays on the ball. I’ve had to cover my fair share of NFL wide receivers. There was a play I made against Boston College that I broke up a pass against Zay Flowers in 2022 and you see what he’s doing in the league now. That is just a small piece of what I can accomplish in coverage when given the opportunity.”
Even if Mustapha doesn’t carve out a role on defense early in his career, he has the special teams background to make an immediate impact. He logged 297 career snaps on special teams with six tackles.
“Special teams is what allowed me to see the field on defense at Wake Forest,” Mustapha said. “That’s just another way to impact the game that a lot of people don’t take seriously. I would be up for that challenge.”
Fit with the Packers
Mustapha would be capable of wearing multiple hats for the next defensive coordinator in Green Bay. He has the physicality and toughness to play in the box. He has the short-area quickness and fluidity to play in the slot and he has the range to cover the backend. With all that versatility he’d at worst provide quality depth at multiple spots in the secondary. On top of all that he could carve out a role early on as a special teams hired gun.
“Leadership, grit, determination, and a motor that won’t stop,” Mustapha said. “Getting guys aligned, flying around making plays in the run and pass, and the willpower to give it all I got for all four quarters. The game of football is my passion. It’s my passion and I don’t take it lightly. I’m going to give 110% effort for whichever organization decides to take a chance on me.”
The Packers may or may not have to replace Nixon at nickel this offseason. While viewing Mustapha strictly as a nickel cornerback takes away his versatility, the Packers may view him in that light. It’s a position in which Mustapha could excel given the opportunity.
“Playing that nickel position is one of the hardest positions to play in football but it’s something that’s not new to me,” Mustapha said. “The guys you mentioned produce at a very high level simply because in a way they are two-way players. They can be a pivotal part in run support, while also being able to blitz and cover speedy guys. It would be a great opportunity to play that at the next level and be able to make an impact.”