No. 3: Safety Adrian Colbert
Seventh-round NFL Draft picks rarely make a 53-man roster, let alone earn a prominent starting job. But that’s what defensive back Adrian Colbert did halfway through 2017, taking over for Jimmie Ward (forearm) at free safety.
San Francisco 49ers
Entering 2018, it’s Colbert’s job to lose.
Colbert has already pulled off two pick-six interceptions during training camp so far. Niners Wire’s Chris Biderman described the first one back on July 31, writing:
"Adrian Colbert, who has dropped a few interceptions early on in camp, jumped the route and took the interception the other way for a touchdown. It was [Jimmy] Garoppolo’s first interception in team drills throughout camp."
On Thursday, Colbert recorded his second after wide receiver Kendrick Bourne dropped a would-be reception, one which Colbert was able to snag and run into the end zone.
Colbert’s job in 2018 is going to be a crucial one. The Niners employ a Cover 3, single-high safety scheme, which requires a great deal of range and coverage ability. Colbert flashed the potential to master this a season ago. But being able to do so over the course of a full year will be vital. Particularly with some of the questions the 49ers have regarding their secondary.