SF 49ers: 2021 is make-or-break year for Tarvarius Moore

The SF 49ers could rely heavily on reserve defensive back Tarvarius Moore, as he might ascend to be a starting safety in 2021.

There’s an awfully strong chance the SF 49ers part ways with veteran strong safety Jaquiski Tartt this offseason.

After spending his entire career with the Niners, the former second-round NFL Draft pick is about to hit free agency following a productive yet injury-filled tenure with San Francisco. And with the SF 49ers having a number of other more pressing free-agent concerns, it seems as if other players buried deeper on the depth chart are going to be in line to replace Tartt.

One of the names to watch, of course, is defensive back Tarvarius Moore.

Moore, the Niners’ third-round pick from the 2018 draft, has had his share of ups and downs since joining the league. He got onto San Francisco’s radar thanks to his blazing-fast 4.32 40-yard time at his pro day, and there’s no questioning how the SF 49ers’ coaching staff liked his 6-foot-2, 200-pound frame.

Those ups included what appeared to be a game-clinching interception off quarterback Patrick Mahomes in Super Bowl LIV against the Kansas City Chiefs, yet Moore has also dealt with some headaches, too. While he’s had the occasional splash play here and there, Moore has also developed something of a reputation for taking poor angles and being a liability in coverage.

Perhaps these have been the reasons why Moore hasn’t exactly worked his way into the starting lineup on a regular basis.

Granted, the Niners may have stunted Moore’s development a bit by moving him all around the secondary, first as a backup boundary cornerback, then at his natural free safety position, a big-nickel defensive back and also at strong safety. Not unlike his fellow teammate in the secondary, free safety Jimmie Ward, a lot of movement early in one’s career isn’t always a bonus.

But if San Francisco is now set on Moore assuming Tartt’s spot on the depth chart, the former will have to showcase his value now more than ever before.

Why 2021 is so crucial for Tarvarius Moore, SF 49ers

Pro Football Focus awarded Moore with a decent 60.2 overall grade in 2020, although his pass-coverage mark was a lowly 56.1 while his run-stopping grade was 70.1. If the SF 49ers were still deploying their traditional Cover 3 single-high safety alignment with the strong safety down in the box, this might not be terrible. But one of the changes former defensive coordinator Robert Saleh implemented in 2019 was to rotate both safeties in more Cover 2 and Cover 4 looks, essentially making both free and strong safeties more interchangeable.

That meant more coverage assignments for Moore.

Opposing quarterbacks last year posted a near-perfect 152.6 passer rating when targeting him, per PFF, which clearly isn’t great. Yet the hope is some realm of consistency in Moore’s responsibilities this upcoming season could do some good.

There will be some competition, of course. Fellow safety Marcell Harris, a restricted free agent, could be retained and has shown the ability to be a spot starter. Like Moore, however, Harris isn’t the most adept at pass coverage. Meanwhile, reserve safety Jared Mayden saw only a handful of snaps last season, and they all came on special teams.

Perhaps the biggest reason why, at least from Moore’s vantage point, 2020 is so crucial is the 24 year old is hitting a contract year. The Niners could like Moore enough to give him sole starting duties at strong safety this season, perhaps then electing to retain him into 2022 and beyond based on how he responds to the increased role.

Yet the evidence up to this point has suggested Moore is merely an OK player without a high-end ceiling.

It’s hard to suggest San Francisco continues to invest in him if the reliability isn’t there.

The good news, though, is it’s common for young defensive backs to struggle early in their NFL careers, especially if they’re bouncing around the secondary. Ward was a primary example of this, and he took a while before latching onto any sort of regular role.

Perhaps Moore is in the same boat, and 2021 will be the year in which he turns the proverbial page.

At least that’s the hope both for Moore and the SF 49ers.