Niner Noise
FanSided

San Francisco 49ers: Creating the ideal starting lineup for 2018

By Peter Panacy

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 31: Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers congratulates Marquise Goodwin #11 of the San Francisco 49ers after scoring a touchdown during the first quarter against Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 31, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 31: Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers congratulates Marquise Goodwin #11 of the San Francisco 49ers after scoring a touchdown during the first quarter against Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 31, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 11
Next
SANTA CLARA, CA – NOVEMBER 12: Adrian Colbert #38 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after a play against the New York Giants during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on November 12, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – NOVEMBER 12: Adrian Colbert #38 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after a play against the New York Giants during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on November 12, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

Safety

Free Safety: Adrian Colbert

Strong Safety: Jaquiski Tartt

Had it not been for a broken forearm suffered in Week 9 last year, strong safety Jaquiski Tartt could have easily been one of the best performing members of San Francisco’s defense.

After all, Tartt logged an impressive 85.8 overall grade on the year, 15th best among qualifying safeties, per Pro Football Focus.

Tartt appears to be a natural fit in Robert Saleh’s Cover 3 scheme, where he’ll play down in the box and offer both size and tenacity in support against the run. Tartt’s coverage was good too, which is another reason he was able to push out the veteran, Eric Reid, from a starting job prior to the former’s injury.

There are some questions at free safety, though, where Jimmie Ward and 2017 rookie Adrian Colbert appear poised for a serious competition this training camp.

Here’s the difference, though. Ward has landed on injured reserve in three of his first four years at the pro level. Colbert is up and coming, figuring to be one of the late-round finds made by John Lynch a year ago.