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San Francisco 49ers: 10 Biggest X-Factors for 2016 Season

By Peter Panacy

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Dec 13, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; San Francisco 49ers strong safety Jaquiski Tartt (29) makes an interception on a pass intended for Cleveland Browns wide receiver Brian Hartline (83) during the second quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 13, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; San Francisco 49ers strong safety Jaquiski Tartt (29) makes an interception on a pass intended for Cleveland Browns wide receiver Brian Hartline (83) during the second quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 6: Safety Jaquiski Tartt

The 49ers, somewhat confusingly, didn’t draft an inside linebacker in 2016. As previously noted on Niner Noise, there may have been some rationale in not doing so. Maybe the value wasn’t there. Or, as this slide points out, the Niners feel as if they have someone who can fill the void.

Safety Jaquski Tartt could be the hybrid-type safety occupying the inside linebacker spot in sub packages. He saw some time in this stead before shifting to a more traditional safety role following the season-ending pectoral injury to fellow safety Antoine Bethea last year.

In coverage, Tartt wasn’t the best his rookie season. He posted a minus-8.7 pass-coverage grade, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required). That’s not surprising, considering most rookie defensive backs struggle their first year against NFL-caliber receivers.

But with Tartt likely being asked to do more in 2016, it’s impossible not to determine him as an X-factor for the defense.

Why He’ll Improve

Where Tartt did show some prowess last season was against the run. Per PFF, Tartt graded out with a plus-1.4 mark in the running game.

This is a very good thing, considering the Niners ranked 29th in the league last year against the run, with a total of 2,020 yards given up on the ground. Add on the importance of stopping up-the-middle runs in sub packages, Tartt’s prowess here could go a long way in ensuring opposing teams don’t gouge San Francisco’s interior defense.

And, at best, Tartt winds up being a solid hybrid-type safety in the mold of the Arizona Cardinals’ safety Deone Bucannon.

Why He’ll Disappoint

It’s hard to suggest Tartt won’t thrive against the run based on what has been seen already. But a lot of this will hinge on how defensive coordinator Jim O’Neil utilizes him.

Tartt’s numbers in coverage could also use a boost. Perhaps this comes after a season or two, but it’s entirely possible he remains a liability in the passing game. If this is the case, look for opponents to exploit this weakness over the middle.

This makes Tartt a major X-factor — primarily depending on his use and the supporting efforts around him.

Next: No. 5: CB Kenneth Acker