Niner Noise
FanSided

San Francisco 49ers: Ranking Each Position in 2016 by Strength

By Peter Panacy

November 8, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers tight end Garrett Celek (88) is congratulated by tight end Vance McDonald (89) and wide receiver Bruce Ellington (10) for scoring a touchdown during the second quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at Levi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: USA Today Sports
November 8, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers tight end Garrett Celek (88) is congratulated by tight end Vance McDonald (89) and wide receiver Bruce Ellington (10) for scoring a touchdown during the second quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at Levi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: USA Today Sports /
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January 3, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers strong safety Jimmie Ward (25) runs the football during the fourth quarter against the St. Louis Rams at Levi
January 3, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers strong safety Jimmie Ward (25) runs the football during the fourth quarter against the St. Louis Rams at Levi /

Secondary

Best Player: Cornerback Jimmie Ward

Worst Player: Cornerback Keith Reaser

X-Factor: Jaquiski Tartt

Defensive back Jimmie Ward’s rookie season versus his second-year campaign were completely different in nearly every aspect. A struggling and injury-riddled 2014 year, following him being drafted in Round 1, was followed up by a very strong 2015 effort.

It didn’t go unnoticed by Jeff Deeney of Pro Football Focus:

San Francisco will also feature veteran corner Tramaine Brock — a proven commodity, who posted a plus-3.1 overall PFF grade last year and led the 49ers last year with 11 passes defended.

The 49ers have some young cornerbacks as well, including Dontae Johnson, Kenneth Acker, Keith Reaser along with rookies Will Redmond, Rashard Robinson and Prince Charles Iworah.

Reaser may be a bubble-watch candidate, given the new additions.

The 49ers also have a deep safety group, with veterans Eric Reid and Antoine Bethea likely to be starting. Ward may eventually move to safety at some point in the future, but a player to monitor this year will be second-year pro Jaquiski Tartt.

Tartt had some coverage issues last season, as many rookie defensive backs do, but a full year of NFL experience under his belt only serves to his benefit.

San Francisco’s secondary is deep, but it’s widely speculative how the cornerback position shapes up. Given the youth here, it’s hard to grade this unit any higher than a third tier.

Tier 3

Next: Linebacker