SF 49ers: Week 1 starting lineup predictions, training camp edition

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Jimmie Ward #20 of the SF 49ers (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

SF 49ers Defensive backfield

CB Richard Sherman

CB Emmanuel Moseley

FS Jimmie Ward

SS Jaqiski Tartt

NB K’Waun Williams

Much like offensive skill players and the defensive line, there aren’t a lot of questions about who starts in the defensive backfield.

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Richard Sherman, Jimmie Ward, Jaqiski Tartt, and K’Waun Williams are all cemented into their roles, although Williams is currently on the mend from a calf injury which shouldn’t force him to miss the regular-season opener.

The only real question is who starts opposite Sherman at the other outside cornerback position.

In this case, because there were very few changes made to the personnel in the cornerback room, it makes sense to go with the player who held the role at the end of last season: former undrafted free agent Emmanuel Moseley.

Also in the mix are last year’s Week 1 starter, Ahkello Witherspoon, and former Los Angeles Charger, Jason Verrett, who is looking to rebound from an injury-plagued and forgettable first season as a 49er.

Reports are that Verrett is looking fast again and so he could be a dark-horse candidate to start alongside Sherman, but without preseason games it’s hard to tell where he’s at in terms of being able to be a successful NFL cornerback again.

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So until it’s becoming clear that Verrett or Witherspoon has begun to unseat the incumbent Moseley, expect to see the latter player out there as the opening day starter.

SF 49ers depth chart: Week 1 starting lineup predictions, training camp edition

By Robert Morrison | Aug 26, 2020