Yesterday I went over 5 offensive players that are, in my opinion, in a make or break season, either pending free agents, or players under contract for 2022.
So today, I’m going to go over 5 defensive players who are in a make or break season.
Defensive End Dee Ford:
This is the most obvious one, so we’ll start here, with Dee Ford, who needs to come back strong after missing all but 1 game in 2020 due to a back injury.
If Ford can give the 49ers anywhere near what he gave them in 2019, playing in 11 games, 6.5 sacks, and being highly rated by PFF for his time while on the field, alongside Nick Bosa.
Now, Ford has a $4.6 million roster bonus due to him in 2022, now whether it’s fully guaranteed, or injury guaranteed is something I don’t know unfortunately, but due to Ford having an $11.6 million injury guarantee this season before the 49ers, & Ford restructured his deal to save over $11 million in 2021, & over $9 million in 2022.
Cornerback Jason Verrett:
Verrett has had a rocky beginning to his career as a 49er, well really since the beginning of his NFL career, injury riddled, as he has only played 73 games out of a possible 112 games since entering the league, with 2015 being his best year, when he was selected to the pro bowl.
Now since joining the 49ers, Verrett has played in just 14 games in 2 seasons with the team, but in 2020, Verrett looked like he was back to his 2015 self, where he had 2 interceptions, along with 60 total tackles and 7 pass defended, while in 2015 he had 3 interceptions, 47 total tackles, and 12 pass defended.
If Verrett can stay healthy, while also producing like he did in 2015 or 2020, then the 49ers should, and likely will bring back Verrett on a long term contract when he’s a free agent next offseason.
Cornerback Emmanuel Moseley:
While the 49ers signed Moseley to a 2-year deal, worth $9.384 million, with $4.384 million fully guaranteed, but that doesn’t mean Moseley is guaranteed to be here past 2021, especially since they drafted Ambry Thomas, & Deommodore Lenoir in the 2021 draft.
Moseley has really been up, and down, he’s had good showings, where he looks like a promising young starting outside cornerback, and other times where he’s looked lost in coverage, I liken it to the issue with former 49ers cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon, who was up & down in his 4 seasons in the bay area.
One thing that may keep Moseley on the 2022 roster, is the fact that he has his 2022 base salary, $4.4 million, guaranteed for injury & skill, so if the 49ers were to cut Moseley when if he’s injured, they’d have to pay him the $4.4 million, plus his base salary becomes fully guaranteed on April 1, 2022.
Free Safety Jimmie Ward:
This was a bit of shocker when the 49ers re-signed Ward, not because they brought him back, but because they gave him a 3-year deal, worth $28.5 million, with $13 million guaranteed at signing.
Now, while Ward hasn’t been the best safety for the 49ers, he has been a solid contributor to the teams defense, despite the lack of interceptions.
Another issue Ward has had in the past was injuries, but it seems he’s been able to put that behind him, as he’s only missed 5 games in the past 2 years.
If Ward can keep up his good play, as he’s a solid cover safety, plus he has the ability to play strong safety, and cornerback, he should be back in 2022, especially with the injury to Tarvarius Moore, who tore his Achilles during the 49ers offseason workout program, before it got canceled.
If the 49ers do deem that Ward is not apart of the teams future, they can release him in 2022, and save $7.5 million in cap room.
Strong Safety Jaquiksi Tartt:
Tartt is another player who has had his fair share of injuries, as he’s only played more than 10 games in just 3 of his 6 seasons with the 49ers, which probably led to Tartt having a very luke warm market, which led to him having to sign a veteran minimum salary benefit deal, worth $1,127,500, with only $987,500 counting against the cap.
One of Tartt’s main issues, like Ward, is the lack of interceptions, but when he’s been on the field, he’s been a very good safety, and when he’s been out the 49ers defense suffered, as seen when Marcell Harris started in 2019 when Tartt was hurt, and was picked on over and over.
Now one thing that may play a factor in the 49ers deciding not to bring him back is the fact that the 49ers drafted USC strong safety Talanoa Hufanga this offseason, who has a high ceiling, and he could end up being the future strong safety.
So with all of this said, I thank everyone for reading article, as always you can follow me on Twitter @49erscap, or leave a comment below, and I’ll get back to you.
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