Niner Noise
FanSided

San Francisco 49ers: Grading 2015 Rookie Class after Season

By Peter Panacy

August 23, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive end Arik Armstead (69) rushes Dallas Cowboys tackle John Wetzel (61) during the second quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
August 23, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive end Arik Armstead (69) rushes Dallas Cowboys tackle John Wetzel (61) during the second quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 1, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; San Francisco 49ers strong safety Jaquiski Tartt (29) forces St. Louis Rams wide receiver Tavon Austin (11) to fumble the ball during the first half at the Edward Jones Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 1, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; San Francisco 49ers strong safety Jaquiski Tartt (29) forces St. Louis Rams wide receiver Tavon Austin (11) to fumble the ball during the first half at the Edward Jones Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /

S Jaquiski Tartt

2015 Statistics

The selection of Jaquiski Tartt in Round 2 of the 2015 draft seemed questionable at the time given San Francisco already had a solid safety tandem of Eric Reid and Antoine Bethea with second-year pro Jimmie Ward backing them up.

But Tartt brought a physicality and meanness not seen much in the 49ers secondary, and those efforts showed during the rookie’s first season.

Tartt, like many rookie defensive backs, still needs to learn the nuances of coverage at the NFL level. He finished the season with a minus-8.7 pass-coverage grade, according to Pro Football Focus. But he did manage 51 tackles, two sacks, three passes defended, a forced fumble and an interception during 15 games played.

And he saw his role increase when the 49ers lost Bethea to a pectoral injury midway during the season.

Coverage will be something Tartt will, hopefully, learn in his second season and won’t be a liability for him moving forward. And the 49ers may still consider him as an inside linebacker-type player similar to how the Arizona Cardinals use safety Deone Bucannon in their defense.

Tartt receives average marks for his rookie season, but the potential is still very high.

Grade: C+

Next: Arik Armstead