As the 49ers look to keep their championship hopes alive in the future, these unexpected standout players are poised to play key roles moving forward.
The 2024 San Francisco 49ers season
brought plenty of surprises, with players
stepping up in ways few expected. From
rookie standouts to veterans overcoming
personal tragedy, these four 49ers
proved that anything can happen in the
Malik Mustapha: The Unlikely Safety Sensation
When the 49ers drafted rookie safety
Malik Mustapha, many expected him to
be little more than a depth piece,
contributing mainly on special teams.
Fast forward to 2024, and Mustapha was
not only a key part of the defense but
arguably the team’s best safety. Despite
expectations surrounding established
players like Ji’Ayir Brown and Talanoa
Hufanga, Mustapha quickly took over the
starting role and proved to be a game-
changer. His performance was a pleasant
surprise for the 49ers, and with the way
he played, fans are now excited to see
what he can do in 2025.
Jordan Mason: A Ground Game Savior.
The 49ers’ offense was left with a huge
question mark when Christian McCaffrey
was a last-minute scratch in Week 1.
While many feared that the team would
struggle to replace McCaffrey’s dynamic
play, Jordan Mason quickly proved that
the ground game wouldn’t miss a beat.
Initially thought to be a backup, Mason
turned heads by leading the league in
rushing yards for the first six weeks of
the season. His tough, physical running
style earned him a prominent role in the
offense, and by the time the team
entered their bye week, Mason was in
the top five for rushing yards. While his
receiving skills weren’t utilized much, his
effectiveness on the ground was
undeniable, and it raised questions as to
why he wasn’t given more carries earlier
in the season.
Jauan Jennings: The Unseen Offensive Weapon.
Jauan Jennings had always been a
reliable but under-the-radar player in
the 49ers’ offense. He wasn’t putting up
flashy stats, but he made his presence
known in crucial moments. In 2024,
Jennings took his game to a new level.
With defenses focusing on George Kittle,
Jennings seized the opportunity and
nearly hit 1,000 receiving yards on the
season—an impressive feat considering
the 49ers’ offense is heavily run-focused.
His standout play was especially crucial
as the team needed another reliable
receiving threat alongside Kittle, and
Jennings delivered in a major way. His
performance forced many to reconsider
his role in the offense, and it’s clear that
he deserves more responsibility moving
forward.
Charvarius Ward: Resilience Amid Adversity.
Charvarius Ward’s 2024 season had its
share of ups and downs. Before the bye
week, he was struggling to replicate the
All-Pro form he showed in 2023. The
49ers’ defense seemed to be moving on
without him as Deommodore Lenoir
emerged as the team’s top cornerback,
leaving Ward to deal with both a drop in
performance and the weight of personal
loss. Ward faced one of the most difficult
challenges of his life when his daughter
tragically passed away, yet he found the
strength to return to the field. His
resilience was nothing short of heroic,
and despite not being at his best for
much of the season, his commitment to
the team during such a heartbreaking
time deserves enormous respect. His
mental toughness was an inspiration,
and it reminded everyone that there’s
more to athletes than what we see on the
field.
These four players—Mustapha, Mason,
Jennings, and Ward—had seasons that
no one could have predicted. Whether it
was breakout performances or
emotional resilience, each player
provided a significant boost to the 49ers
in ways that defied expectations. Moving
forward, these surprising stars are sure
to play important roles as San Francisco
looks to maintain its championship
aspirations in the years ahead.
