49ers roster 2023: What role will Myles Hartsfield play (Steve Wilks knows)

Upon taking the 49ers' defensive coordinator job, Steve Wilks immediately asked to sign defensive back Myles Hartsfield, and the Niners obliged.

One of the questions the San Francisco 49ers probably asked former Carolina Panthers interim head coach Steve Wilks earlier this offseason, when he was interviewing for the Niners' defensive coordinator vacancy, was whether or not there were any players he'd like to bring aboard from his previous tenure with the Panthers.

Well, Wilks got the job. Not long after, upon the opening phase of NFL free agency, San Francisco inked one of Wilks' favorite players, defensive back Myles Hartsfield.

Perhaps Wilks had told the 49ers brass who he wanted and why.

Hartsfield, 25 years old, joined the Panthers as an undrafted free agent out of Mississippi in 2020. Wilks, whose defensive specialty is within the secondary, used Hartsfield in a variety of ways last season.

While not a primary starter, Hartsfield is more than capable of doing so. Given the Niners' history of injuries during head coach Kyle Shanahan's tenure, having a versatile backup who can spot start is valuable.

That's likely why the Niners had little trouble inking Hartsfield.

Why did the 49ers sign Myles Hartsfield in NFL free agency?

Yes, there is the connection with Wilks, and that alone could have been an easy reason fro San Francisco to ink the 5-foot-11 and 210-pound defensive back.

However, the 49ers also lost two of their more versatile defensive backs during the offseason, Jimmie Ward to the Houston Texans and Tarvarius Moore to the Green Bay Packers. Both players could play a multitude of roles, and that's precisely what Hartsfield will likely be asked to do.

Whether it's as a free or strong safety, a nickel cornerback or even someone who can hold down the boundary, Hartsfield's versatility would help alleviate the need to keep numerous backups to reinforce the secondary.

How much are the 49ers paying Myles Hartsfield?

Wilks might have pounded the table for Hartsfield, but that doesn't mean the Niners are overly committed to him.

Per Over the Cap, Hartsfield signed with San Francisco on a mere one-year deal worth up to $1.01 million, none of which is guaranteed, meaning the 49ers could cut him with zero in dead money and no lingering financial ramifications.

From that perspective, Hartsfield's roster spot is anything but guaranteed.

What will Myles Hartsfield's role with 49ers be in 2023?

Assuming he does make the 53-man roster, Hartsfield is likely going to be one of those movable "chess pieces" within the Niners secondary.

He'll have competition for that kind of work, though.

San Francisco's top pick from this year's NFL Draft, defensive back Ji'Ayir Brown, is similar in stature and ability to Hartsfield, and both are essentially gunning for the same job of being a primary reserve with the capability of starting. The 49ers may wish to bring Brown along slowly, though, which would open the door for Hartsfield to have a more prominent role early.

Plus, Hartsfield is much more experienced on special teams, too, which works in his favor.

Expect Hartsfield to have that kind of role where he fills in as necessary on defense while doubling on the crucial third phase of the game.

All to Wilks' delight.

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