Top 10 takeaways from first phase of 49ers training camp
By Peter Panacy
No. 6: Tarvarius Moore at Free Safety, but…
It’s looking like the 49ers are going to stick with the idea their 2018 third-round NFL Draft pick, defensive back Tarvarius Moore, is better suited as a free safety after all instead of a cornerback, the initial plan when he broke into the league.
Moore ended up being bumped to free safety during organized team activities, and he continued playing there during training camp, too, getting first-team reps during Tuesday’s practices.
Like SAM linebacker, the starting free safety job appears to be wide open, featuring Moore, Adrian Colbert and Jimmie Ward as prime candidates.
Yet defensive coordinator Robert Saleh (h/t Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area) isn’t ready to crown Moore the starter yet:
Jimmie Ward, whom #49ers are bringing back slowly, is the favorite to win the starting FS job over Adrian Colbert and Tarvarius Moore. DC Robert Saleh said of Moore: “He’s by no means even close to being an NFL-ready safety by Week 1, but he is getting progressively better.”
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoNBCS) July 30, 2019
San Francisco has continued to support Ward, despite his injury history and inconsistent play in recent seasons.
There’s plenty of time for Moore to work towards starting duties. But it’s looking like Ward winds up being the starter in Week 1, at least by the initial pressers from Saleh.