San Francisco 49ers: Grading each position heading into 2018 training camp
By Peter Panacy
. . . SAFETY . B+
Key Additions: Tarvarius Moore, Marcell Harris
Key Departures: Eric Reid
It appears as if the 49ers have their starting tandem at safety this year, Jaquiski Tartt and Adrian Colbert.
Before suffering a broken forearm midway through 2017, Tartt was having something of a breakout year and managed to earn an 85.7 overall Pro Football Focus grade — highest among all San Francisco defensive backs.
Tartt’s presence, along with the emergence of then-rookie Colbert, all but pushed former 49ers safety Eric Reid out of a starting spot and, subsequently, a place on the roster.
Provided both Tartt and Colbert stay healthy and match last year’s performance levels, this position will be one of strength for the defense. But questions are there when evaluating the depth.
John Lynch brought aboard former Florida safety Marcell Harris, who’ll likely back up Tartt. But Harris is coming off an Achilles injury from last season. So he’ll have to account for that and his ability to transition his skills to the pro level.
Never an easy thing to do for defensive backs. Especially early on.
Depth concerns prevent the 49ers safety crop from receiving an A-grade, but this unit still remains one of the better ones on the defensive side of the ball.