Predicting 10 players who make 49ers practice squad in 2019

No. 9: Safety Tyree Robinson

The 49ers swiped 2018 rookie defensive back Tyree Robinson off the Dallas Cowboys practice squad in December.

Oh, there’s another rule for those of you unfamiliar with the process. Teams can sign any player off another team’s practice squad, as long as that player is named to the signing team’s active roster.

This is what the Niners did with Robinson, although the former University of Oregon product was never active during his brief first-year stint in San Francisco.

That said, Robinson and his 6-foot-2, 215-pound frame is worth developing. He managed six interceptions at 15 passes defended over four seasons with the Ducks, and the combination of production and size could be worth some development.

One of the major reasons why, of course, would be the uncertainty the 49ers have at safety entering this season.

Jimmie Ward is likely to get the nod at free safety. But he’s dealing with a collarbone injury and also has landed on injured reserve in four of his first five seasons at the pro level. Fellow safety Adrian Colbert also landed on IR with a high-ankle sprain in 2018, which was a negative punctuation mark on what was a regressive campaign for him.

Sure, second-year pro Tarvarius Moore could thrive transitioning from cornerback to safety. But that’s still experimental.

Given these question marks, it wouldn’t hurt having an extra body like Robinson on the practice squad this season.