49ers predictions: 5 dark-horse additions to 53-man roster in 2021
By Peter Panacy
No. 4: 49ers S Jared Mayden
The 49ers stockpiled their safety group during the offseason, first by bringing aboard the veteran, Tavon Wilson, before re-signing their starting strong safety, Jaquiski Tartt, to a one-year deal.
Tartt’s injury history, paired with a similar situation with free safety Jimmie Ward, mandates the Niners have some adequate depth, which also helps explain why the team used a fifth-round draft pick on USC defensive back Talanoa Hufanga.
Along with Wilson and Hufanga, training camp will feature quite the position battle for depth with defensive backs Tarvarius Moore and Marcell Harris.
Second-year pro Jared Mayden, too.
Mayden, another undrafted free agent, saw time last year solely on special teams. But San Francisco seemed to like his efforts there, and the fact neither Moore nor Harris particularly excels much at pass-coverage skills could open up an opportunity for Mayden to steal a spot.
Especially if he can continue his special teams prowess.
Most teams typically carry no more than four safeties on the regular-season roster. But in the 49ers’ case, it might be wise to retain five. Harris could easily be the odd man out anyway. Yet a cheaper route might be to go with someone like Mayden over Wilson, too.