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San Francisco 49ers: Prioritizing Each Position on Roster Before the 2016 NFL Draft

By Peter Panacy

August 24, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers offensive line coach Mike Solari (far left) instructs during the third quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Levi's Stadium. The 49ers defeated the Chargers 21-7. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
August 24, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers offensive line coach Mike Solari (far left) instructs during the third quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Levi's Stadium. The 49ers defeated the Chargers 21-7. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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December 20, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers strong safety Antoine Bethea (41) celebrates scoring a touchdown off an interception during the second quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
December 20, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers strong safety Antoine Bethea (41) celebrates scoring a touchdown off an interception during the second quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

Safety

Players on Roster: Eric Reid, Antoine Bethea, Jaquiski Tartt, L.J. McCray

Safety is one of the few positions the 49ers have little-to-no worry entering NFL draft season.

Veteran safety Antoine Bethea should return fully healthy from his season-ending pectoral injury, and he’ll be paired with Eric Reid to comprise a respectable back end to the secondary. And second-year pro Jaquiski Tartt remains a promising talent and hybrid-type player.

Backup safety L.J. McCray, who missed the second half of last season due to injury, is one of the better special teams players on the Niners roster.

And for more backup measures, the 49ers can still count on nickel corner Jimmie Ward to hold down a safety spot should he be needed. It’s his natural position and one in which he filled a void at points last season.

So the 49ers won’t be adding a safety via the draft this year, unless general manager Trent Baalke makes an odd choice early or elects to take a back-end safety towards the later rounds.

Priority 5

Next: Special Teams