San Francisco 49ers: Early 53-man roster predictions for 2018
By Peter Panacy
Safety (5)
Free Safety: Adrian Colbert, Jimmie Ward, Don Jones
Strong Safety: Jaquiski Tartt, Marcell Harris
The 49ers’ safety position dealt with some attrition a year ago, as both Jimmie Ward and Jaquiski Tartt suffered season-ending forearm injuries midway through 2017. Tartt was having a career year, and his 85.8 overall Pro Football Focus grade ended up being tops among all Niners defensive backs last year.
Meanwhile, Ward’s PFF mark was a paltry 46.9.
This did, however, open up the door for 2017 rookie seventh-round pick Adrian Colbert to assume a starting role at the back end of the defense. He didn’t disappoint, registering a respectable 77.6 overall PFF grade in the process.
It doesn’t seem likely Ward pushes Colbert out of this starter’s role, which is why the 49ers are poised to shift their 2014 first-round selection back to cornerback this offseason.
Yet that depth chart is going to be pretty crowded too, meaning Ward likely serves as an all-encompassing backup within the secondary. He’ll see plenty of snaps. The only question is where.
Meanwhile, sixth-round draftee Marcell Harris — whom Niner Noise pegged as an immediate backup to Tartt — winds up the team’s No. 2 strong safety.