Niner Noise
FanSided

Predicting the 49ers’ 2018 starting lineup after opening wave of NFL free agency

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) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – DECEMBER 11: Jimmie Ward #25 of the San Francisco 49ers intercepts a pass intended for Quincy Enunwa #81 of the New York Jets in the first quarter of their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on December 11, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – DECEMBER 11: Jimmie Ward #25 of the San Francisco 49ers intercepts a pass intended for Quincy Enunwa #81 of the New York Jets in the first quarter of their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on December 11, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

Safety

Free Safety: Adrian Colbert, Jimmie Ward

Strong Safety: Jaquiski Tartt

The 49ers picked up the fifth-year option on defensive back Jimmie Ward, whose $8.5 million became fully guaranteed at the start of the league’s new year on Mar. 14.

Ward spent three of his first four years at the pro level landing on injured reserve, including a season-ending arm injury in 2017. A hunch states he ends up earning the starting free safety job over 2017 rookie, Adrian Colbert, but that’s a status one shouldn’t bank on for long.

Especially if Colbert continues his upward ascent.

It doesn’t appear as if the Niners are interested in bringing back strong safety Eric Reid, and he probably wouldn’t have pushed fellow safety Jaquiski Tartt out of a starting job during training camp either.