SANTA CLARA — Safety Malik Mustapha is not just the 49ers’ first pick on Day 3 of the NFL Draft. Historically, he’ll be entered in team lore as the player they drafted with the fourth-round selection they acquired last August from the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for 2021 draft bust Trey Lance.
Mustapha, selected 124th overall, adds depth to a spot needing bodies, including as insurance for starter Talanoa Hufanga as he returns from last season’s anterior cruciate ligament tear.
Two years ago, Mustapha was coming off his own ACL injury, which he sustained in the Gator Bowl.
A team captain at Wake Forest last season, Mustapha totaled three interceptions, four sacks, four forced fumbles and 10 passes defended in his three seasons there. He played his freshman year at Richmond during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season.
Mustapha (5-foot-10, 206 pounds) ran the 40-yard dash in 4.54 seconds. Aside from being an understudy to Hufanga and fellow safety Ji’Ayir Brown, look for him to try winning a roster spot via special teams.
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Thus far, the 49ers have taken:
Wide receiver Ricky Pearsall: Florida (first round, No. 31)
Cornerback Renardo Green: Florida State (second round, No. 64)
Guard Dominick Puni: Kansas (third round, No. 86)