SF 49ers: 3 players who proved long-term value vs. Packers
By Peter Panacy
No. 3: SF 49ers Defensive Back Tarvarius Moore
The Niners needed to start third-year defensive back Tarvarius Moore, either as a third safety or at cornerback, in Week 8 against wide receiver D.K. Metcalf and the Seahawks. Moore is the only player within San Francisco’s secondary who has both the size and speed to stay pace with a player of Metcalf’s ilk.
That didn’t happen, and it didn’t happen against Packers wide receiver Davante Adams, who torched the SF 49ers for 10 catches for 173 yards and a touchdown.
Moore nearly blocked a punt on special teams, showcasing his value there. But the lack of size on the boundary certainly hurt the Niners’ defensive efforts against Green Bay.
Just like it did against Metcalf and Seattle.
Adams is 6-foot-1 and 215 pounds. San Francisco continued to field two smaller corners, Emmanuel Moseley and Jason Verrett, who are both under 6-foot-0.
At 6-foot-2 and coming off his 4.32 40-yard dash from his pro day, it’s time to put Moore’s combination of size and speed to use.
If anything, he could be a key solution to the many free-agent issues the SF 49ers will face within their defensive backfield this season, which could see both Moseley and Verrett depart in 2021 anyway.