49ers' new ball hawk? Jason Pinnock aims for starting role and takeaways

The San Francisco 49ers' signing of safety Jason Pinnock may have flown under the radar this offseason, but it could prove to be a valuable move, especially with second-year safety Malik Mustapha not expected to be ready for the start of the 2025 season as he continues to recover from an ACL injury.

Pinnock didn't sign with the 49ers to serve as a backup, and he doesn't see himself as one either, recently telling NBC Sports Bay Area's Matt Maiocco, "I don't think anybody in this league does."

Pinnock carries the mentality of a starter. He and Ji'Ayir Brown are the frontrunners to be the starting safety duo when the 49ers open the season against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 1.

"Hopefully, I'm a Day 1 starter," Pinnock said. "That's what everybody hopes to do. That's what I hope to do. But not only that, I look at myself as an All-Pro type of guy. So that's what I came here to do, that's what I came to show the league."

Pinnock admitted that he wasn't fully aware of Mustapha's injury at the time he signed with San Francisco, as the news didn't become public until after the NFL Draft started. Still, that situation didn't influence his decision to join the 49ers.

"I wanted to go somewhere comfortable, comfortable in the system," Pinnock explained. "I switched positions my rookie year. I've seen three different coordinators since then. I just wanted some continuity. A great relationship with [49ers defensive coordinator Robert] Saleh. Knew his system, love the system, so I'm like, 'Man, I want to get back.'"

Saleh was the New York Jets' head coach when the team selected Pinnock in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL Draft. In his second offseason with the Jets, Pinnock failed to make the 53-man roster and was waived with hopes of being added to the practice squad. Instead, the New York Giants claimed him, giving the young safety a fresh opportunity.

Pinnock now views that career detour as a blessing in disguise. During his 37 starts with the Giants, he sharpened his blitzing ability, improved his field awareness, and grew into a more complete player.

Returning to play under Saleh, who originally saw his potential, felt like a full-circle moment. It felt good to have the coach want him back. The safety acknowledged that he was very raw when his NFL career started.

"I think last year, for me, actually, was a good year," Pinnock explained. "My first three, I was always the youngest. I got drafted at 20. But last year, I played with the youngest defensive back room in the league."

That allowed Pinnock to take on more of a leadership role for the first time.

"It was definitely a lot of giving my knowledge and giving stuff in-play, pre-snap, post-snap," he shared. "So just trying to give that to the guys here now."

On the field, Pinnock believes he can be a disruptive force for the 49ers' defense, impacting quarterback decisions, supporting the cornerbacks in coverage, and creating turnover opportunities.

Takeaways are a key focus for Pinnock heading into the 2025 season.

"I think I've shown I can pressure, I can tackle good in space," he said. "I gotta go show these attributes of my ball skills, something that got me drafted. Basically, show people I'm a ball hawk."