Predicting 49ers 53-man roster just before final roster cuts

Safeties (4): FS Tarvarius Moore*, SS Jaquiski Tartt*, FS Jimmie Ward*, SS Marcell Harris*

This group locked itself into place pretty early on in the preseason, especially once Tarvarius Moore took over as the starting free safety while Jimmie Ward was recovering from a collarbone injury.

Ward, who played well in limited time during his one preseason game in Denver, proved himself capable of being backups for both Moore at free safety and for Williams at slot cornerback, and he also has experience on the outside, too. And while this isn’t likely what he came back to do, his versatility should be a valuable asset for the 49ers in 2019.

In the case of Jaquiski Tartt, he was one of the defense’s better players all training camp and preseason long, solidifying that if he can stay healthy, he’s a vital part of the 49ers defensive unit this season.

Marcell Harris, last season’s sixth-round draft pick out of Miami, hasn’t been eye-popping this preseason, but also hasn’t been pushed by anyone else on the roster.

The casualty here is former starter at free safety, Adrian Colbert, who has had a particularly precipitous fall from grace since his breakout rookie season in 2017. He did leave Thursday night’s game with a hamstring injury, so the 49ers could place him IR so he remains on the team, but otherwise, this feels like its his final run as a 49er.