49ers 2020 training camp: Early 53-man roster predictions for Week 1

Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /
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Richard Sherman, 49ers
Richard Sherman #25 of the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

49ers Defensive backs

Making the team: Richard Sherman, Ahkello Witherspoon, Emmanuel Moseley, K’Waun Williams, Jaquiski Tartt, Jimmie Ward, Tarvarius Moore, Marcell Harris, Tim Harris
Missing the cut: Jamar Taylor, Jason Verrett, DeMarkus Acy, Dontae Johnson, Jermaine Kelly, Chris Edwards, Derrick Kindred, Jared Mayden,
Injured: D.J. Reed

Analysis

Starters for the 49ers here will be Richard Sherman, Emmanuel Moseley, K’Waun Williams, Jaquiski Tartt and Jimmie Ward.

Ahkello Witherspoon will be the main corner backup, while Marcell Harris and Tarvarius Moore will handle backup duties at safety.

The big question is who will be the backup nickel corner with D.J. Reed potentially out for the season with a torn pectoral? Jason Verrett and Tim Harris could take snaps there. It isn’t out of the question Ward could slide there, too, and take over if Williams gets injured.

Harris is unlikely to be given up on so soon in his career, but the question is if Verrett can get healthy. He was unimpressive in limited action before getting hurt again, and he may not make it out of camp this year.

Jamar Taylor and Dontae Johnson are backup caliber but could fight to bring some experience to the team, especially if Verrett or Harris goes down. The kids will be fighting for potentially two practice squad spots, with DeMarkus Acy and Jared Mayden ones to look out for.