SF 49ers: 4 candidates for most-improved player in 2020
By Peter Panacy
No. 3: SF 49ers Defensive Back Tarvarius Moore
He might still be making coverage mistakes, such as taking the wrong angle on Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp on one of the large gains in Week 12. But defensive back Tarvarius Moore is a perfect example of why exercising patience with young defensive backs is paramount.
Moore has been asked to fill a greater role this season, seeing his percentage of snaps jump from 23 last season to 29 this year.
Likewise, Moore’s overall Pro Football Focus grade has jumped from 64.9 in 2019 to 68.5 in 2020 — a modest but noticeable improvement.
A season-ending injury to strong safety Jaquiski Tartt has allowed Moore to see more playing time there, while also giving the SF 49ers flexibility to put him atop the defense, utilizing his explosive speed to cover all areas of the secondary. In turn, this has afforded the opportunity to move free safety Jimmie Ward closer to the line of scrimmage, either as a strong safety or a nickel cornerback.
Those efforts paid off well in Week 12 with Ward forcing two fumbles during the game.
Moore helped make that a possibility, though, and he stands to benefit in 2021 if the Niners move on from Tartt, who is also a pending free agent.