Niner Noise
FanSided

San Francisco 49ers: Predicting 4 2021 Pro Bowlers from current defense

By Akshaj Dwivedula

GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 01: Defensive tackle DeForest Buckner #99 and defensive end Arik Armstead #91 of the San Francisco 49ers react after a defensive stop during the second half of the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 01: Defensive tackle DeForest Buckner #99 and defensive end Arik Armstead #91 of the San Francisco 49ers react after a defensive stop during the second half of the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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DENVER, CO – AUGUST 29: Strong safety Jaquiski Tartt #29 of the San Francisco 49ers plays defense against the Denver Broncos during preseason action at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on August 29, 2015 in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos defeated the 49ers 19-12. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – AUGUST 29: Strong safety Jaquiski Tartt #29 of the San Francisco 49ers plays defense against the Denver Broncos during preseason action at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on August 29, 2015 in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos defeated the 49ers 19-12. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) /

Jaquiski Tartt

The final spot of these rankings go to a player who you probably weren’t expecting.

The popular choice here would be cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon, but he didn’t make this spot for one reason: competition. The NFL is stacked when it comes to young CBs, with Jalen Ramsey, Xavier Rhodes, Marshon Lattimore and so many more. Even if Witherspoon does develop the way we want him to, there will be too much competition to accurately make this prediction.

The safety position isn’t the same. With Kam Chancellor‘s retirement, more holes are beginning to form in the safety hierarchy. By 2021, both Harrison Smith and Earl Thomas, the top two safeties in the league right now, would be entering the last phases of their career. For Jaquiski Tartt, it’ll be the time to show the entire league just how talented he is.

Plays like this don’t hurt either:

I mean that was simply jaw-dropping. But flashy plays don’t define who Tartt is. Last year, through Week 5, PFF ranked Tartt fourth among safeties, stating:

"Tartt is one of just eight qualified safeties to have a run-stop percentage of at least 5.0 or higher while also surrendering fewer than 0.5 yards per coverage snap (number of passing yards given up divided by the number of snaps they’ve spent in coverage)."

At the end of the year, Tartt was ranked 10th among safeties which was obviously a career best.

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With the safety position undergoing a changing of the guard, so to speak, Tartt is in perfect position to take the mantle of best safety and rack up Pro Bowl appearances.