49ers 5 biggest needs after first wave of NFL free agency
By Peter Panacy
No. 2: What do the 49ers do at strong safety?
San Francisco might have a plan in place to replace starting strong safety Jaquiski Tartt. At least that’s the initial assessment.
Tartt, who missed 28 regular-season games the last four years because of varying injuries, probably won’t return. Although there’s still an outside chance the 49ers elect to re-sign him on the cheap if he continues to remain available in free agency.
In the meantime, however, one would guess backup defensive backs Tarvarius Moore and Marcell Harris both have an inside track to assume Tartt’s starting role this season.
That decision could pan out. Moore, who has shifted all over the secondary since being drafted in 2018, would probably benefit from remaining in one spot. And year four would be a great time for him to proverbially “put it all together” after being awfully inconsistent over his first three years with the Niners.
Harris, meanwhile, is a quality backup and solid run-stopper down lower in the box. Yet his coverage skills haven’t exactly revealed much improvement, suggesting San Francisco’s investment of re-signing him is merely to bolster the depth chart and give someone like Moore added competition this offseason.
Still, safety depth and starting-caliber quality remain elements the 49ers have to strongly consider.
Especially if Moore and Harris aren’t equal to the task.