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49ers vs. Colts: 5 Takeaways for San Francisco in Week 5

By Robert Smith

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - OCTOBER 08: Brian Hoyer #2 of the San Francisco 49ers drops back to pass during first quarter of the game between the Indianapolis Colts and the San Francisco 49ers at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 8, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Bobby Ellis/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - OCTOBER 08: Brian Hoyer #2 of the San Francisco 49ers drops back to pass during first quarter of the game between the Indianapolis Colts and the San Francisco 49ers at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 8, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Bobby Ellis/Getty Images) /
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – OCTOBER 08: T.Y. Hilton #13 of the Indianapolis Colts catches a pass in front of K’Waun Williams #24 of the San Francisco 49ers during the first quarter of a game at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 8, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – OCTOBER 08: T.Y. Hilton #13 of the Indianapolis Colts catches a pass in front of K’Waun Williams #24 of the San Francisco 49ers during the first quarter of a game at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 8, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

The 49ers secondary is not very good

Now I realize the secondary is banged up with Akhello Witherspoon’s concussion, Asa Jackson’s hamstring and missing the veteran presence of safety Eric Reid, but I’m not so sure it would magically make the rest of the secondary significantly better.

Rashard Robinson came into the season as the consensus top cornerback for the team, but has actually been targeted repeatedly throughout the season so far, and has been underwhelming to say the least. Pro Football Focus has him listed as the 95th-best cornerback, with Dontae Johnson, the other starting corner behind him in the 99th slot.

That just won’t get it done.

The 49ers signed two cornerbacks on Tuesday, with veteran Leon Hall and Dexter McCoil joining the team. McCoil was claimed off waivers from the Chargers. To make room, the Niners waived rookie Lorenzo Jerome. If Jerome clears waivers, the Niners may end up bringing him back on the practice squad.

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The lone interception to occur in the secondary was Jaquiski Tartt’s one-handed interception of Carolina starter Cam Newton in Week 1. When you have an offense as inconsistent as the 49ers, turnovers can be the great equalizer. And hence the reason they remain winless on the season.

Perhaps Shanahan and defensive coordinator Robert Saleh need to move some pieces around back there to shake things up.

Jimmie Ward may return to one of the cornerback spots, where he played fairly well previously. Jaquiski Tartt could then jump over to safety along with strong safety Eric Reid when he returns.  Mixing up the secondary with current players may or may not work.

But in all honesty, it really can’t be hurt all that much at this point.