5 bold predictions for the 49ers 53-man roster in 2019
By Peter Panacy
No. 1: Tarvarius Moore Earns the Starting Free Safety Job
Remember the 49ers moving Tarvarius Moore from cornerback to free safety? Well, it could pay off handsomely right out of the gate.
Earlier during training camp, defensive coordinator Robert Saleh told reporters Moore still had a ways to go before solidifying a role as a starting safety. But all signs are pointing to the Niners giving Moore as many chances as possible to earn this role. As The Athletic’s David Lombardi pointed out, Moore spent all of San Francisco’s first preseason bout, versus the Dallas Cowboys, playing free safety.
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And Lombardi concluded the 49ers are trying to give Moore “as many snaps as possible.”
This, of course, would mean Moore leapfrogs other more-experienced defensive backs at the position, including Adrian Colbert and Jimmie Ward. Ward, who just returned to practice after suffering a broken collarbone during OTAs, still looks to be the favorite to secure the starting nod.
But that wouldn’t be a bold prediction, right? Going with Moore over Ward would be.
There’s good reason to hope for that outcome, too. Ward is back on merely a one-year deal, and it’s hard to envision the Niners re-signing him again in 2020. Moore, meanwhile, is only entering year two of his rookie contract, is much younger and cheaper.
Considering Moore’s speed and success at safety during his college days, it makes sense the 49ers hope he can secure this starting gig as soon as possible.
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If he’s able to flash this ability on a regular basis over the rest of the preseason, it wouldn’t be shocking at all to see Moore wind up being named the starter in Week 1.