San Francisco 49ers: 3 surprise starters for the defense in 2020
By Peter Panacy
No. 2: 49ers Defensive Back Tarvarius Moore
While Emmanuel Moseley might want to forget Super Bowl LIV, two-year defensive back Tarvarius Moore‘s late-game interception against the Kansas City Chiefs seemed to be the game-sealing play.
Except it ended up not being such.
That said, Moore’s late-season surge as a reserve safety could prompt the idea the Niners have a quality backup at both the back end of the defense as a potential boundary cornerback. Remember, the 49ers initially wanted the former college free safety to play on the outside his rookie year.
Much of the idea of Moore starting is predicated again on a regression from Moseley. But if Moseley struggles, it’s not automatic a player like Moore would be slotted in on the boundary.
Instead, another likelier outcome would be for San Francisco to move its starting free safety, Jimmie Ward, down to cornerback — a position he played, previously — letting Moore assume his natural position atop the defense.
This would be the better alignment, given the scenario, especially considering Robert Saleh doesn’t shy away from rotating his defensive backs around the secondary at will.
As a result, Moore could end up starting games early for the 49ers this season, which would help boost the return the team wants from their former third-round NFL Draft pick.