49ers training camp: 5 early risers impressing the most
By Peter Panacy
No. 4: 49ers Safety Tavon Wilson
It might have been something of an under-the-radar move this offseason when San Francisco signed veteran safety Tavon Wilson, primarily a special teams ace, to a one-year deal to support the back end of the team’s secondary depth chart.
But with presumed starting safety Jaquiski Tartt still nursing his 2020 turf-toe injury, Wilson has been the beneficiary of the 49ers’ first-team reps.
And by most accounts, including one from The Athletic’s David Lombardi, Wilson has been impressing to quite a degree:
With Jaquiski Tartt out, veteran safety Tavon Wilson has manned first-team safety reps for the 49ers. By all accounts, Wilson has played well and DeMeco Ryans just named him in response to a question about the defense’s most pleasant surprise
— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) August 4, 2021
It’s probably premature to suggest Wilson could steal Tartt’s starting job this season, although injuries could play a factor and force Wilson into the mix if Tartt misses any time.
Yet considering the Niners are already down Tarvarius Moore, who suffered a torn Achilles during organized team activities, and can’t necessarily rely on Marcell Harris in pass coverage, getting exemplary play from someone like Wilson could go a long way towards ensuring the depth at safety will be more than adequate this season.
Wilson should have no trouble making the 53-man roster, and there’s an outsider’s chance he even starts early in 2021.