Niner Noise
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49ers training camp 2018: 5 players who have impressed the most so far

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CA - SEPTEMBER 11: Jarryd Hayne #38 of the San Francisco 49ers is wearing jersey #44 while participating in drill during practice on September 11, 2015 in Santa Clara, California. Hayne was wearing the #44 jersey for the 49ers scout team preparing for Monday nights game against the Minnesota Vikings. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - SEPTEMBER 11: Jarryd Hayne #38 of the San Francisco 49ers is wearing jersey #44 while participating in drill during practice on September 11, 2015 in Santa Clara, California. Hayne was wearing the #44 jersey for the 49ers scout team preparing for Monday nights game against the Minnesota Vikings. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – NOVEMBER 12: Adrian Colbert #38 of the San Francisco 49ers breaks up a pass intended for Tavarres King #12 of the New York Giants during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on November 12, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – NOVEMBER 12: Adrian Colbert #38 of the San Francisco 49ers breaks up a pass intended for Tavarres King #12 of the New York Giants during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on November 12, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

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
San Francisco 49ers /

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.