49ers roster: 53-man bubble watch with 2022 minicamp in the books
By Peter Panacy
49ers bubble watch: Safety
Lock: Talanoa Hufanga, Jimmie Ward, George Odum
Strong bubble: Tarvarius Moore, Dontae Johnson
Weak bubble: Leon O’Neal*
Long shot: Tayler Hawkins*
* denotes rookie
A few shakeups to the 49ers’ crop of safeties.
Second-year pro Talanoa Hufanga has been getting the bulk of first-team reps at strong safety opposite Jimmie Ward, and that seems to be the plan moving forward. And while this development might mean George Odum’s chances to start on defense are lessened, Odum’s sizable contract that includes over $3 million in guaranteed money, per Over the Cap, means he isn’t going anywhere.
Tarvarius Moore, who missed all of 2021 after suffering an offseason Achilles tear, has zero in guaranteed money, though, so his hold on a roster spot is a bit more precarious. He’ll have to prove his health and an ability to contribute.
The veteran, Dontae Johnson, switched over from cornerback to safety during offseason workouts, and he’s primed to assume a backup role, too, and his versatility should put him in strong contention to make the roster.
This isn’t necessarily the case with the two undrafted rookies, though, Leon O’Neal and Tayler Hawkins, neither of whom were particularly impressive during mandatory minicamp.