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San Francisco 49ers: Position-by-Position Prediction of 2016 Roster in Advance of Free Agency

By Peter Panacy

Oct 19, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; San Francisco 49ers tackle Anthony Davis (76) pass protects in the third quarter against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 19, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; San Francisco 49ers tackle Anthony Davis (76) pass protects in the third quarter against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 20, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers cornerback Antoine Bethea (41) scores on a 49-yard interception return in the second quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 20, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers cornerback Antoine Bethea (41) scores on a 49-yard interception return in the second quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Safety (4)

Antoine Bethea, Eric Reid, Jaquiski Tartt, L.J. McCray

Veteran safety Antoine Bethea will be returning from his season-ending pectoral injury and, despite being 31 years old, still offers enough veteran prowess and leadership to keep him from being a cap casualty this offseason.

Second-year safety Jaquiski Tartt will be an interesting figure to watch. While his coverage skills weren’t the best in 2015 — few rookie defensive backs’ are — San Francisco will likely employ him as a hybrid to occupy an inside linebacker position similar to what the Arizona Cardinals do with safety Deone Bucannon.

Tartt also brings a measure of physicality to the 49ers defense — an aspect largely missing since the free-agent departure of safety Donte Whitner not that long ago.

And fellow defensive back L.J. McCray is one of the better special teams players the 49ers have on their roster.

Safety is one of the few positions the Niners won’t have to worry about in the upcoming season.

Next: Special Teams