Niner Noise
FanSided

San Francisco 49ers: Progress-report grades for each position a quarter through 2017

By Peter Panacy

GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 01: Quarterback Brian Hoyer #2 of the San Francisco 49ers walks on the field during the first half of the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 01: Quarterback Brian Hoyer #2 of the San Francisco 49ers walks on the field during the first half of the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 11
Next
SANTA CLARA, CA – SEPTEMBER 10: Jaquiski Tartt #29 of the San Francisco 49ers intercepts the pass intended for Kelvin Benjamin #13 of the Carolina Panthers while Dontae Johnson #36 of the San Francisco 49ers was also covering him at Levi’s Stadium on September 10, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – SEPTEMBER 10: Jaquiski Tartt #29 of the San Francisco 49ers intercepts the pass intended for Kelvin Benjamin #13 of the Carolina Panthers while Dontae Johnson #36 of the San Francisco 49ers was also covering him at Levi’s Stadium on September 10, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

Safety

Injuries have been the primary focus for the 49ers at safety, notably free safety Jimmie Ward missing all of training camp and the preseason with a hamstring injury. Meanwhile, strong safety Eric Reid has been absent for two-plus weeks recovering from a knee issue.

Thankfully, San Francisco’s safety position is one of the least areas of worry on defense.

Ward is proving capable enough to handle his duties as the last line of defense in coordinator Robert Saleh’s Cover 3 scheme. And with Reid out, backup safety Jaquiski Tartt is quickly turning into a solid player.

Tartt’s 87.0 overall grade, per Pro Football Focus, ranks No. 1 among all Niners defensive backs through four weeks.

What the 49ers Are Doing Well

Tackling was a major issue for the 49ers defense a year ago, but that’s not the case, at least at safety.

Ward has a perfect 14-of-14 mark on tackles/attempts this season, per PFF. And Tartt has missed just three on 25 attempts as well.

Tartt has been excellent in coverage this season, perhaps suggesting he’s a long-term replacement for Reid, who is a pending free agent after 2017.

What Needs Improvement

San Francisco’s new defensive alignment has stressed keeping as many as eight defenders up in the box. The hope here is to create enough up-front pressure to force quarterbacks to deliver passes early and, frequently, off target.

While some of the coverage numbers suggest this is working, the Niners defensive backs have yet to achieve ballhawk status. Tartt has just one of two 49ers interceptions, coming from Week 1 versus the Carolina Panthers.

Grade: A-