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49ers vs. Chiefs: Top 5 things to watch for in preseason, Week 1

By Peter Panacy

KANSAS CITY, MO - AUGUST 16: Wide receiver Dexter McCluster #22 of the Kansas City Chiefs picks up a first down between defenders Craig Dahl #43 and Perrish Cox #20 of the San Francisco 49ers during the first half on August 16, 2013 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO - AUGUST 16: Wide receiver Dexter McCluster #22 of the Kansas City Chiefs picks up a first down between defenders Craig Dahl #43 and Perrish Cox #20 of the San Francisco 49ers during the first half on August 16, 2013 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images) /
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MOBILE, AL – JANUARY 28: Lorenzo Jerome MOBILE, AL – JANUARY 28: Lorenzo Jerome #22 of the North team intercepts the ball as O.J. Howard #88 of the South team defends during the first half of the Reese’s Senior Bowl at the Ladd-Peebles Stadium on January 28, 2017 in Mobile, Alabama. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
MOBILE, AL – JANUARY 28: Lorenzo Jerome MOBILE, AL – JANUARY 28: Lorenzo Jerome #22 of the North team intercepts the ball as O.J. Howard #88 of the South team defends during the first half of the Reese’s Senior Bowl at the Ladd-Peebles Stadium on January 28, 2017 in Mobile, Alabama. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

No. 5: Will Safety Lorenzo Jerome Stay Hot?

With presumed starting free safety Jimmie Ward (hamstring) still on the PUP list, and free safety Eric Reid (ankle) just returning to training camp, it wouldn’t be a shock to see the 49ers stick more to their depth during preseason games.

One name to watch is rookie free-agent safety Lorenzo Jerome, who has seen plenty of time with the first-team unit after turning heads in camp earlier.

Niners Wire’s Rob Lowder already indicated Jerome looks comfortable with this promotion:

Jerome has worked well in this free safety role, although one will have to see if he can continue his strong efforts against competition against which he’s not totally familiar.

While it seems likely Jerome makes the 53-man roster this season, continuing the efforts already seen will go a long way to ensuring it happens.