Predicting 49ers 2016 53-Man Roster After OTAs
By Jerod Brown
Safety
Eric Reid– One more bad hit and Reid might be out for awhile. However, when healthy, Reid has shown himself worthy of the first-round pick the team used on him just a few years ago. He is the emotional leader of the backfield and an unquestioned starter.
Antoine Bethea– The oldest member of the defensive back group, Bethea is coming off injury but earns his keep as a wise veteran. The team needs leaders in the locker room and Bethea provides that and more.
Jaquiski Tartt– Tartt is the type of hybrid linebacker/safety that is beginning to become commonplace in the NFL. The team will expect him to be prepared to play often in sub-packages and he’ll fight all summer to start at safety.
L.J. McCray– Special-teams ace that will play every unit and can play safety in a pinch. He is one of the lesser-known players on the team but provides tremendous value.
Starters: Reid and Bethea should start at safety. Tartt will be chomping at the bit but the team needs stability to keep from getting run out of stadiums like last year.
Next: Specialists