5 players 49ers must aggressively shop at 2021 trade deadline
By Peter Panacy
No. 2: 49ers Safety Jaquiski Tartt
The Niners defense is noticeably better with strong safety Jaquiski Tartt in the lineup. The problem, though, is Tartt has had a tough time staying in the lineup because of injuries. And right now, he’s out a few weeks with a bone bruise suffered to his knee during San Francisco’s Week 7 loss to the Indianapolis Colts.
That’ll hurt Tartt’s value on the open market. No doubt there. But contending teams are always looking for quality defensive backs who can cover. And while Tartt might not have the name recognition as other safeties, he’s certainly shown his worth.
A free agent in 2021, whatever team trading for Tartt would have to be taking him on as a short-term rental project. Or as someone who could be re-signed on a cheaper “prove it” deal in light of his injury history, not unlike what the 49ers did by bringing Tartt back this season.
As far as the Niners are concerned, they should hope their 2021 fifth-round rookie, Talanoa Hufanga, is advanced enough to take over a full-time role and develop into a would-be Tartt replacement. That appeared to be the objective when Hufanga entered the Week 7 game after Tartt left with his injury.
Again, it’s highly unlikely San Francisco would get much of anything in return, certainly no more than a day-three draft pick.
But that’s something.