49ers 2019 training camp: Tarvarius Moore a player to watch

With San Francisco 49ers training camp in just a few days, Niner Noise takes a look at Tarvarius Moore, a second-year player who could be a game changer.

If this seems familiar, it’s because it is. Entering last year’s training camp, I wrote a piece about how San Francisco 49ers defensive back Tarvarius Moore would be a player to watch.

Of course, back then he and I were both rookies.

Now, one year later, Moore is entering his second season with question marks surrounding him, just like his rookie year. The only difference, this time his short-term trajectory is quite different regarding his playing time.

Last year, Moore came into training camp a clear project. He had the elite speed and tools, but the 49ers decided to move him to cornerback, forcing him to learn a new position.

For a rookie player, that never pays out well.

Moore did end up getting playing time following cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon‘s injury late in the season. Near the end of the win against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 15, they repeatedly tried to test him. Once he got his footing, he held firm.

For the rest of the season, Moore was not spectacular by any stretch of the imagination, but he was solid. One of his biggest highlights was this forced fumble against the Chicago Bears:

It was a big play at a big time. But that’s not the reason why Moore is a very important player at training camp. It’s because of his position switch.

Following Jimmie Ward‘s collarbone injury, the 49ers moved Moore back to his natural position, free safety, for the rest of mincamp. Defensive coordinator Robert Saleh did not confirm Moore would be staying at the position, but just placing him back there is a sign that the 49ers see where his true potential is.

Our own Peter Panacy does a great job of breaking down how Moore can be a terrific safety for the 49ers right here. He touches on the main aspects: Moore’s college experience and capabilities, the level of competition and the implementation of the 49ers wide-9 scheme, which in turn puts the strong safety in deep coverage, getting rid of Saleh’s single-high look.

Regardless of all these reasons, Moore has his work cut out for him. Adrian Colbert played very well his rookie year before a stark regression last year. Ward is highly regarded by the 49ers brass, so much so they were willing to hand him the free safety job before injury.

An added implication of the wide-9 is that the 49ers will be putting their two best safeties on the field. Not their best free safety and their best strong safety, but the two best, regardless of position moniker. That means Moore will be competing with Marcell Harris and Antone Exum as well to play alongside Jaquiski Tartt, who is practically assured a starting spot.

None of that matters when looking at Moore’s salivating potential. He has proven his ability in the college levels at free safety, and he has the most potential out of any player vying for that position. He will start with the second- or third-team unit, but Moore has the ability to quickly jump that.

Last year, many people thought Moore was the long-term replacement for cornerback Richard Sherman. Now, I believe he is the short-term solution for the 49ers safety woes.