San Francisco 49ers: Full Depth Chart & Roster Predictions for 2016 Season
By Peter Panacy
Safety
Antoine Bethea, Eric Reid, Jaquiski Tartt, L.J. McCray
Players Cut: Jered Bell
Initially, the 49ers’ move to select cornerback Will Redmond in the 2016 NFL Draft didn’t bode well for veteran safety Antoine Bethea.
Redmond would have been a candidate to move into the nickel corner role his rookie season — a move which could still happen depending on his health. This would have likely shifted defensive back Jimmie Ward into a traditional safety role.
But with Ward moving to cornerback this season, according to Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee, Bethea’s future in San Francisco looks a little safer for now.
It’s also safer for Bethea because second-year safety Jaquiski Tartt likely won’t be a traditional player in his natural role.
Niner Noise’s Rich Madrid described how Tartt will be more of a hybrid safety in sub packages — a player frequently occupying a middle linebacker position instead of the standard over-the-top safety.
This makes sense as many NFL teams are trying to find this sort of fit within their defense.
That leaves Bethea and fellow safety Eric Reid as the starters here. And backup safety L.J. McCray is one of the better special teams aces on the roster.
Next: Cornerback