San Francisco 49ers recognize safety position is not deep enough

With the recent workouts given to defensive backs who can play the position, it is clear the San Francisco 49ers have recognized the need to add safety depth.

The San Francisco 49ers have been busy in looking for new faces to add to their defense in the last week, specifically on the back end. San Francisco worked out Jarius Byrd and Leon Hall, before signing former Baltimore Ravens cornerback Will Davis.

By working out Byrd and Hall and adding Davis, it is clear what the 49ers are keen to at least look into adding extra depth at safety. Byrd enjoyed an extremely impressive career with the Bills as a safety but has struggled to replicate his performances for Buffalo with the Saints.

Though much of their respective careers have been spent at corner, Hall and Davis also have safety experience. And the 49ers’ apparent urge to add safety depth is understandable.

Jimmie Ward may have some growing pains in his transition back to free safety — the position he played in college. However, his prior experience, success he has enjoyed in previously switching to nickel and starting cornerback, and the ability he has demonstrated in both coverage and run defense suggest he can become a high-level starter at the position.

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Eric Reid has proven himself to be a solid starter and, in switching to strong safety, should be able to flourish down in the box freed from the burden of being the last line of defense and no longer playing next to a declining talent in Antoine Bethea. But Reid has a worrying history of concussions and, if either of that duo suffer an injury, the 49ers could be in trouble.

Corner Dontae Johnson has some safety experience, but the depth behind Ward and Reid looks shaky at best.

Jaquiski Tartt has largely struggled in coverage since being drafted in 2015 and beyond him all the 49ers have at safety is four rookies in Adrian Colbert, Lorenzo Jerome, Chanceller James and Malik Golden and a special teamer in Vinnie Sunseri. With the current options they have at the position, San Francisco cannot afford any injuries to Ward or Reid.

Risking that possibility without adding any further depth at safety would place further strain on a secondary that is already relying on some inexperienced players at cornerback, where second-year player Rashard Robinson may end up starting next to a rookie in Ahkello Witherspoon.

For a secondary likely to already be under substantial pressure due to the lack of pass-rushing talent ahead of them, not having some added security at safety is an unnecessary burden to place on that group of players.

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San Francisco is right to explore the possibility of adding another safety to mix and the Niners would be wise to be bring in an experienced backup to solidify the depth at what is a position of relative strength.