49ers free agency: 4 roster needs team still needs to address

No. 1: 49ers still have depth needs at strong safety

One of the bonuses during the second half of former defensive coordinator Robert Saleh’s tenure in San Francisco was the shifting away from the single-high Cover 3 scheme that featured the strong safety down in the box.

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In 2019 and 2020, Saleh’s safeties were much more interchangeable. That made the starter at strong safety, Jaquiski Tartt, a much more valuable weapon than he was before when he was playing down towards the line of scrimmage.

Tartt is coming back on a one-year deal, according to Good Morning Football’s Peter Schrager. And the Niners brought aboard veteran defensive back Tavon Wilson to pair with the 49ers’ two backups, Tarvarius Moore and Marcell Harris.

But Tartt has an extensive injury history, missing all but seven games last year and missing 28 regular-season games the last four years. His backups, not including Wilson, haven’t exactly made names for themselves as good coverage options. Both Moore and Harris had splash plays here and there, yes. Yet Moore’s 2020 Pro Football Focus coverage grade (56.1) left a lot to be desired.

Harris’ 36.6 coverage grade was substantially worse.

Austin could be a starter if Tartt goes down again, yes. But at 30 years old and primarily having served as a backup option during his career with the Patriots, Detroit Lions and Indianapolis Colts, he’s not exactly a guaranteed choice either.

Unlike wide receiver and the offensive line, the 2021 NFL Draft doesn’t have a lot of quality safety options. And the thought of putting either Moore or Harris into Tartt’s stead comes with some significant risks.

The Niners are banking on Tartt staying healthy this season. Otherwise, that backup spot on the roster could be one of the team’s weaknesses this upcoming season.