Richie Grant was drafted in the 2nd round of the 2021 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons. He will now likely fill in the special teams role and compete with Ji’Ayir Brown to start opposite of Malik Mustapha for the 49ers
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported the San Francisco 49ers are signing free agent safety and former second-round pick of the Atlanta Falcons Richie Grant to a one-year deal.
In four seasons with Atlanta, Grant had 33 career starts. Equally as important, Grant played over 1,000 special teams snaps. In 2024, Grant only played 162 defensive snaps for the Falcons but 340 on special teams — including every coverage unit.
He started for the Falcons in every game during the 2023 season at free safety, but limiting him to a free safety that season isn’t accurate. Grant played 291 snaps in the box, 133 snaps in the slot, and 80 lined up along the defensive line.
Grant’s versatility could intrigue Robert Saleh, who is quite multiple with his safeties and tends to use three if his personnel calls for it. In two years as a starter with the Falcons, Grant had over 100 tackles in each season. However, his only 11 tackles this past season and limited playing time on defense under a new coaching regime would signal that he either was not a good fit or was not trustworthy enough to play over a veteran the Falcons signed late, Justin Simmons.
Grant will likely be a depth signing to replace Tashaun Gipson on special teams. The starters are Ji’Ayir Brown and Malik Mustapha. The 49ers’ decision to give Grant money will likely determine his role next season.
He won’t turn 28 until November, so it could be as simple as a one-for-one swap for him and Grant while Hufanga’s replacement was already on the roster in Brown.