There were a couple of positives from the 49ers 6-11 season.
2024 wasn’t the year that the San Francisco 49ers expected, as an injury-ravaged team riddled with inconsistencies ended up going 6-11, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2020.
It was a disappointing year, all things considered, but there were still a number of positives to come out of the year, highlighted by a strong rookie class.
Here are the top three breakout players from San Francisco’s 2024 season.
CB Deommodore Lenoir
The most obvious candidate is rising star cornerback Deommodore Lenoir, who broke out as a versatile cornerback in 2024.
The signs came as early as training camp, as Lenoir was the best player there, and he continued that stellar play throughout the season, recording nine pass breakups, two interceptions, and a forced fumble, while bouncing between the outside and the nickel.
In addition, he allowed a career-best passer rating of just 71.4 percent, shutting down a number of receivers and tight ends along the way.
Lenoir is a perfect fit for the 49ers defense with his confidence, physicality, and versatility, and that was all seen in 2024, which is why the team rewarded him with a five-year, $92 million extension midseason, cementing him as their CB1 of the future.
RG Dominick Puni
Yes, he was a rookie, but not many around the 49ers expected the emergence of right guard Dominick Puni, who got his opportunity in training camp after Spencer Burford went down with an injury.
Puni stepped into the role and never looked back, entering the season as the starter at right guard and arguably being San Francisco’s most consistent offensive lineman this season, given the injuries to Trent Williams.
Being drafted in the third round, many draft analysts thought Puni could play as early as Week 1, and he proved that to be true after getting his opportunity in the offseason.
Moving from tackle, which he played in college, Puni had a seamless transition to guard and was a clear breakout for the 49ers in Year 1, setting up to be a key piece in the future.
S Malik Mustapha
Another key contributor in the middle rounds emerged with fourth-round rookie Malik Mustapha, who took over as a starter midseason.
Mustapha got his opportunity early as Talanoa Hufanga was still recovering from an injury, as he beat out George Odum in Week 3 for the starting role opposite Ji’Ayir Brown.
Then, upon Hufanga’s return, Mustapha was slotted into the starting lineup, replacing Brown, showing how much he impressed the 49ers staff early on.
Mustapha has made his presence known as a rookie with his hard-hitting ability, which is exactly what the 49ers covet in a downhill safety.
Finishing his rookie season with 72 tackles, five pass breakups, and an interception, Mustapha was another breakout candidate for San Francisco, setting himself up as a key piece for the future.