Niner Noise
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5 training camp storylines to watch for the 49ers in 2019

By Akshaj Dwivedula

SANTA CLARA, CA - JULY 30: Mike Person #78 and Joe Staley #74 of the San Francisco 49ers participate in drills during practice at the San Francisco 49ers training facility on July 30, 2011 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - JULY 30: Mike Person #78 and Joe Staley #74 of the San Francisco 49ers participate in drills during practice at the San Francisco 49ers training facility on July 30, 2011 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – DECEMBER 09: Tarvarius Moore #33 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates after a defensive play against the Denver Broncos at Levi’s Stadium on December 9, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /

No. 4: Who starts in the secondary?

When writing storylines for OTAs, our own Peter Panacy highlighted the secondary as a main issue, with the free safety position and the second outside corner spot as places of competition. He’s not wrong.

The secondary for the Niners was an absolute dumpster fire last year, with players getting injured or losing their assignment seemingly every game. To resolve this issue, the Niners did what any normal team would do… barely address the issue. The Niners only brought in two new pieces for the secondary, sixth-round NFL Draft pick Tim Harris, who’s no sure lock to make the roster, and oft-injured cornerback Jason Verrett.

The idea that a pass rush can lead to a better secondary has been noted and disputed in the NFL for a while, It’s what led the Carolina Panthers to allow cornerback Josh Norman to walk after tagging him a few years back. But even if that’s the case, no one knows who’s going to be playing at those positions.

Even though he played well at the end of the year, Marcell Harris will be backing up Jaquiski Tartt at strong safety. Another lock to start is veteran corner Richard Sherman, but I didn’t need to tell you that.

From there, it gets iffy.

At the second corner position, the battle comes down to Verrett and Ahkello Witherspoon. If healthy, Verrett is probably more talented than Witherspoon, but health will be the main concern. Witherspoon struggled early in the season before coming on late, but Verrett will be stiff competition.

The key battle in training camp will come at the free safety position. Following Jimmie Ward‘s broken collarbone, the 49ers moved Tarvarius Moore back to free safety, his natural position. Before the draft started, I had broken down Moore versus the top safeties in the draft and concluded that he would be the best option for the 49ers.

Well, here we are.

Moore will be facing an uphill battle versus third-year pro Adrian Colbert, who has had more NFL experience at the position. Colbert was hurt, but also just struggled reading deep throws during last season. As it stands, Colbert has the advantage, but the 49ers believe, according to NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco, that “[Moore]’s best fit … is free safety,” leading me to think that Moore will be manning the middle come Tampa.