Niner Noise
FanSided

49ers 2019 training camp: 10 things to watch during opening weekend

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CA - JULY 30: Ronald Johnson #88 and Chris Culliver #29 of the San Francisco 49ers go up against each other in a 7 on 7 drill 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: Ronald Johnson #88 and Chris Culliver #29 of the San Francisco 49ers go up against each other in a 7 on 7 drill during practice at the San Francisco 49ers training facility on July 30, 2011 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 10
Next
49ers
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) /

The San Francisco 49ers open up 2019 training camp practices today, and Niner Noise offers up a preview by exploring 10 things you’ll want to pay attention to early on.

The San Francisco 49ers started their 2019 training camp on Friday, July 26. But actual on-field practices start today, July 27.

San Francisco brought aboard a couple of extra pieces on Thursday to get its offseason roster up to 90 players: offensive lineman Dillon Day and tight end Niles Paul, while also releasing defensive lineman Cedric Thornton. Additionally, the Niners placed tight end Garrett Celek (concussion), running back Jerick McKinnon (knee), center Weston Richburg (knee) and defensive back Jimmie Ward (collarbone) on the physically unable-to-perform (PUP) list to kick off camp.

Those injuries create storylines for training camp right there. While it’s important for each of those players to receive some reps between now and Week 1 of the regular season, their respective absences also open up opportunities for players whose roles aren’t quite defined just yet.

Let’s start there with one player who might be able to take advantage of Ward’s injury, second-year pro Tarvarius Moore.

No. 10: Tarvarius Moore’s Switch to Safety

Moore was an effective free safety during his collegiate days at Southern Mississippi. But his lanky 6-foot-2 frame piqued the 49ers’ interest towards shifting him to cornerback his rookie season.

The move had its moments, sure. But overall, Moore would have stayed largely a developmental project there. Given Ward’s injury, though, it sure seems possible and likely Moore winds up seeing extensive time at his natural safety spot.

There are going to be some tweaks to the defense, and there won’t be quite as much single-high safety coverage. This could benefit Moore, as he essentially has to relearn the position again.

Despite that, though, his 4.32 40-yard time from his 2018 pro day bodes well for rangy coverage with the action in front of him.

Moore still has to climb the depth chart over players with more NFL-level experience at the position, Adrian Colbert and D.J. Reed. And when Ward returns, it will add a wrinkle to the Niners’ defensive plans in the secondary.

Still, Moore’s impact at his natural spot is going to be something worth monitoring during training camp.