San Francisco 49ers: 3 options if Jimmie Ward leaves in free agency
By Peter Panacy
No. 1: Going with an On-Roster Option
A silver lining about Jimmie Ward carrying an injury history is it allowed a number of other defensive backs to assume some serious time on the field.
San Francisco 49ers
Arguably the simplest of choices would be to insert fellow defensive back Tarvarius Moore into Ward’s stead in 2020, which is something the 49ers strongly considered back in training camp, the preseason and early in the regular season when Ward was dealing with a broken collarbone and broken finger.
Moore proved himself not quite ready, though, and Ward was quickly reinserted to the starting lineup upon his healthy return. One can only guess if another year of development would put Moore in a better position this year.
Reserve defensive back D.J. Reed is another possible candidate, too.
Yet another option, perhaps the strongest of the on-roster choices, would be to move strong safety Jaquiski Tartt over to the free safety side, then inserting third-year pro Marcell Harris into Tartt’s spot.
Tartt has played an over-the-top safety role before, and defensive coordinator Robert Saleh’s adjustment of the safety spots, making them more interchangeable, could assist with this to a degree.
But the only problem is Harris isn’t known for being anywhere near as solid in coverage, and he’s far more effective as a run stopper down in the box.
Like Moore, though, another year’s worth of development could stand to benefit Harris and the 49ers defense, should they go this route.
Next. 5 low-budget free agents 49ers can target in 2020. dark
Unless Ward returns, that is.