Can 49ers safety Odum shed his ‘special teams only’ label?

SANTA CLARA — As amateur general managers put together their offseason wish lists for the 49ers, safety was a priority.

After the 49ers took no big swings in free agency, the only thing carved in stone is that Ji’Ayir Brown, a third-round draft pick from Penn State, will be one of the starters if healthy.

Talanoa Hufanga, a 2022 All-Pro, had his season cut short in the 10th game with a torn ACL and has yet to practice. Tashaun Gipson, last season’s starting free safety, left in free agency, just turned 34 and if he does sign with anyone will have to sit out six games for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs.

Brown’s running mate since Day 1 of training camp has been George Odum, who intercepted two Brock Purdy passes in practice Wednesday. If Hufanga bounces back quickly or rookie fourth-round pick Malik Mustapha winds up way ahead of schedule, it will be easy enough for Odum to slide back into his role of core special teamer and reserve safety.

But as it stands, whether Odum, 30, plays or not in Saturday night’s exhibition opener in Nashville against the Tennessee Titans, the six-year veteran has looked and played like a viable starter in camp.

“It’s exciting for me, especially being known for special teams, but I also can play on defense,” Odum said. “I’ve been patiently doing it every day. Been here three years now. The system is a little easier for me. I’m not making mistakes, communicating with (Brown) and have watched Hufanga over the past two years.”

In six seasons with the 49ers and Indianapolis, Odum has just 10 starts at safety, and seven of those came in 2021 with the Colts. He was a first-team All-Pro special teamer with Indianapolis in 2020 and second-team with the 49ers in 2022, the living embodiment of the yearly reminder that special teams can be the key to making an NFL roster.

Odum was undrafted out of Central Arkansas in 2018, yet played in 93 consecutive games before he was lost to a torn biceps on Nov. 23 last year against Seattle. What looked to be a season-ending injury actually wasn’t, as Odum played in all three 49ers postseason games.

His value as a special teams leader on coverage and return teams earned Odum a two-year contract extension worth a maximum of $7.45 million with $2.45 million in bonus money, but coach Kyle Shanahan said he wouldn’t hesitate to start him on defense.

“George is one of the best special teams players in the league, but if he’s the right guy at safety and gives us the best chance at safety you never confuse those two,” Shanahan said. “You’ve got to go there first.”

Which wouldn’t necessary prevent a more limited role on special teams, Shanahan said.

Middle linebacker Fred Warner has taken notice.

“I’m excited and happy for him, because this is a moment and an opportunity that he’s wanted for a long time and he’s shown up in a big way from OTAs going into training camp,” Warner said. “He’s already a physical, dynamic player for us on special teams, but to add that to our defense would be major for us.”

Defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen, who worked extensively with the safeties in his role as a secondary coach last season, said Odum was also impressive a year ago during camp.

“He has all the tools, and has continued to feel comfortable in the system where he can play fast,” Sorensen said Wednesday. “He made a correction today about being in the post from the other day when they got an explosive (play). That was cool to see. It’s not just the ability, it’s the comfort, making corrections and still making the play. He’s not just a special-teamer. He’s a football player, and it translates.”

Hufanga has targeted Week 1 since beginning his rehab. If all goes according to plan, he’ll take the field when the 49ers practice at U.C. Irvine on Aug. 15-16 against the New Orleans Saints. It would seem unlikely Hufanga would be thrown into high-contact scrimmages against an opponent right away, and it remains to be seen whether he’ll be deemed healthy enough to open as a starter.

The player with the most intrigue is Mustapha, who has shown surprising ability to make plays as a deep safety in camp. The preseason games, as well as the joint practices against the Saints, will allow Mustapha to show his wares as a hitter.

In order to fortify the position, the 49ers, according to The Athletic, will sign Tracy Walker, a former third-round pick of the Detroit Lions and a veteran of 43 starts in 79 games over the last six seasons.

Until the position is sorted out, Odum will contend to be a Week 1 defensive starter for the first time.

“He’s doing a hell of a job at safety,” Shanahan said. “People have been thrown into the fire and stepped up well. It hasn’t been too big for anyone yet. It’ll be interesting to see how that position pans out.”