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San Francisco 49ers: Predicting 2018 starting lineup post Jimmy Garoppolo trade

By Peter Panacy

GLENDALE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 11: Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the New England Patriots on the sidelines during the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on September 11, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. The Patriots defeated the Cardinals 23-21. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 11: Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the New England Patriots on the sidelines during the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on September 11, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. The Patriots defeated the Cardinals 23-21. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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LANDOVER, MD – OCTOBER 15: Jimmie Ward #25 of the San Francisco 49ers runs with a fumble in the third quarter of a game against the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field on October 15, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. The Redskins won 26-24. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD – OCTOBER 15: Jimmie Ward #25 of the San Francisco 49ers runs with a fumble in the third quarter of a game against the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field on October 15, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. The Redskins won 26-24. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Safety

Free Safety: Jimmie Ward

Strong Safety: Jaquiski Tartt

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It’s looking more and more like the 49ers won’t extend safety/linebacker Eric Reid, a pending free agent, beyond this season. Aside from depth, there really isn’t any reason to. He already lost his starting strong safety job to Jaquiski Tartt, who is a clear-cut choice to start again in 2018.

The only way it happens, though, is if the Niners grow overly concerned with the health history of free safety Jimmie Ward.

Ward (forearm) could end up missing the rest of the season, potentially giving Reid a chance to start again at his old position at which he broke into the NFL. But Ward is signed through 2018, and a hunch says the Niners would like to see a full-time tandem of Ward and Tartt next year.

Let’s go with this prediction, as Reid walks in free agency.