San Francisco 49ers: 7 players in line for contract extensions in 2018

Nos. 3 and 2: Safeties Jimmie Ward and Jaquiski Tartt

I’m cheating, putting these safeties on one slide, but they are similar enough I felt I would have little left for the second slide if I had them separate.

Jimmie Ward falls under the same status as Trent Brown on the field — extremely talented but hard to keep on the field before an injury overcomes him.

That said there is a lot to be said for keeping Ward on the team. Rookie Adrian Colbert played surprisingly well to the point the 49ers actually did an article calling him a “diamond in the rough,” but we don’t know if he can sustain that form or even keep the starting job. Jaquiski Tartt enjoyed a breakout year, but he himself ended up on injured reserve with a broken forearm. Eric Reid is probably done as a 49er, although the possibility remains he could still stay on.

Therefore it’s important to have a third safety that can be patched in easily, and Ward has the advantage that the 49ers envision him as a corner as well as a safety. Versatility is Ward’s friend.

Versatility is Tartt’s friend as well. Equally adept at either safety position, Tartt was 16th on Pro Football Focus’ rankings for safeties, the 85.7 rating put him in the high-quality category, one step below elite.

Having Tartt being able to go to either safety position, and Ward able to switch from safety to corner, makes them ideal scheme fits to pair with the exciting Colbert. Even Reid, whom I don’t have on this list, could still have a place on this team in the wake of the Reuben Foster situation, if he displays more enthusiasm than before in his own versatility to have a go at playing linebacker.