There’s been a lot of talk around here about San Francisco 49ers safety Ji’Ayir Brown breaking out for 2024. That talk isn’t going to stop.

Over at nfl.com Bucky Brooks put together the 2024 NF All-Breakout team on defense. Brown made the list at safety:

The ball-hawking safety lived up to his reputation in Year 1. Brown notched a pair of regular-season interceptions and a postseason pick as a part-time starter who was thrown into the fire following Talanoa Hufanga’s season-ending injury. The INTs showcased his range and ball skills, adding a dimension to a defensive backfield that feasts on tipped passes and overthrown balls down the field. With the 49ers expected to return to a scheme that places a premium on turnovers, the second-year pro could become a household name as a takeaway specialist on an elite defense.

In May, KP already had Brown listed as his breakout player on the defense, but also gave some credit to Yetur Gross-Matos. I agree with him that Gross-Matos probably will be fighting for time with all those mouths to feed. l

Brown has a chance to breakout this year and showed he was more than capable of holding down the fort last year. His athletic ability wasn’t so much what found promising. Instead it was his preparation and mental game.

Seems like more are jumping on the Brown train. Given that Talanoa Hufanga will be rehabbing a knee injury, it’d certainly be helpful to have Brown go to the next level if there are any setbacks there as well.

Are you still thinking Brown is the breakout candidate?