Malik Mustapha: Everything you need to know

Mustapha wrapped up 76 combined tackles (44 solo) and defended three passes (one interception) across 12 regular-season starts in 2025. Mustapha opened the regular season on the PUP list after undergoing successful surgery on the knee he injured at the tail end of the 2024 campaign. The sophomore safety only missed one game past the minimum four-week requirement and looked as dominant as he did prior to tearing his ACL. Mustapha reclaimed his starting strong safety job in Week 6 and still surpassed last year's tackle total (72) despite appearing in four fewer games. The 23-year-old will attempt to combine good health with continued strong play while starting alongside Ji'Ayir Brown in 2026.

Mustapha registered three tackles (two solo) and one pass defense during San Francisco's 42-38 win over Chicago on Sunday. Mustapha played every single defensive snap during Sunday's win, but his three tackles were his lowest since Week 6 against the Buccaneers (two). The second-year safety is up to 71 combined tackles across 11 regular-season games, which is one stop shy from matching his total from his rookie campaign across 16 regular-season games. Mustapha should surpass that mark during the 49ers' Week 18 tilt against the Seahawks on Saturday, a game that will determine who captures the NFC West and enters the postseason as the No. 1 seed in the conference.

Mustapha tallied eight tackles (three solo) in Monday's 48-27 victory against Indianapolis. Mustapha's tackle total was third-highest on San Francisco. The second-year safety has been a steady IDP asset of late, posting at least seven stops in each of his past four games.