49ers: 10 players who should see more playing time for rest of 2018

San Francisco 49ers: 10 players who should see more playing time over the rest of 2017

KANSAS CITY, MO - AUGUST 11: Wide receiver Kendrick Bourne #6 of the San Francisco 49ers smiles after catching a pass for a touchdown during the preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on August 11, 2017 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

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No. 10: Defensive Back Adrian Colbert

San Francisco’s last pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, defensive back Adrian Colbert, should be in line to see a lot of the field for the rest of the year.

This, because of the season-ending injury suffered by starting free safety Jimmie Ward (forearm).

Under normal circumstances, the 49ers would move now-linebacker Eric Reid back to safety, especially considering he played at the free safety spot from his rookie year in 2013 through last year.

Kyle Shanahan is considering this, according to NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco:

With Jimmie Ward out for the season, Kyle Shanahan said the #49ers are leaning toward moving safety-turned-LB Eric Reid back to safety.
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoNBCS) October 30, 2017

But Reid is a pending free agent, and it hasn’t looked like he’ll be with the 49ers next year. Inserting Colbert as a full-time starter would give a crucial evaluatory period in which the Niners could see if he’s worth developing any further beyond a depth player.

If it goes poorly, Reid can still return to the secondary.