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49ers Newcomer Impresses with After-Practice Work

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Nathan Karseno | Last updated Jun 3, 2025 1:52 PM ET

The San Francisco 49ers saw starting safety Talanoa Hufanga sign with the Denver Broncos in free agency this offseason, and with multiple injuries to returning players, there is some uncertainty at the position during OTAs.

Richie Grant was signed in free agency to suppress this worry. The four-year vet signed a one-year contract with the Niners and is out to prove his worth in a major way.

Grant posted a video to social media showing him getting extra work done in the 49ers locker room after practice. This determination is sure to impress head coach Kyle Shanahan and his staff as they survey their options at safety.

#49ers S Richie Grant is putting in extra work after practice is over

Grant, a free agent signing this off-season, has a major opportunity at S with Malik Mustapha and Ji’Ayir Brown both recovering from off-season surgeries pic.twitter.com/NfkDCoPoUr
— OurSF49ers (@OurSf49ers) June 1, 2025

Grant spent four seasons with the Atlanta Falcons after being an early second-round draft pick in 2021. He, like the 49ers team as a whole, is coming off a forgetful season last year.

The UCF product started in 32 of the 34 games he appeared in from 2022-23, but saw his spot taken last season in Atlanta. He still played in all 17 games in 2024, but only registered one start and 14 total tackles. Grant saw just 165 snaps on the season, receiving a woeful 37.7 overall grade by PFF.

With this opportunity presenting itself for increased playing time, Grant is making a concerted effort to crack the Niners lineup and get his career back on track in the Bay Area.

During his second and third seasons in the NFL, the 6-0, 200-pounder registered 226 combined tackles, three interceptions and 13 passes deflected. That production could be crucial for this new-look 49ers defense under coordinator Robert Saleh.

Shanahan and the 49ers could be relying on Grant's availability with safeties Malik Mustapha and Ji'Ayir Brown on questionable timetables to return from injury.

Grant now joins the San Francisco secondary as the most seasoned player with Mustapha being just a rookie last year and Brown entering his third season. This experience could also help his case for earning a contributing role this season.

Niners Nation could become very familiar with Richie Grant if the coaching staff likes what they see and turn to him as a starting safety.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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