The 49ers have every reason to feel optimistic about the group of defensive backs they have assembled for training camp.
The 49ers also have reason to be concerned with a group of largely unproven players who have battled injuries. And one of the big question marks concerns their most experienced and decorated player who faces the biggest challenge of his career.
Who’s Here
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CB Richard Sherman, CB Ahkello Witherspoon, SS Jaquiski Tartt, FS Adrian Colbert, NB K’Waun Williams, DB Jimmie Ward, DB Tarvarius Moore, DB D.J. Reed, S Marcell Harris, CB Greg Mabin, S Chanceller James, DB Tyvis Powell, CB Tarvarus McFadden, CB Emmanuel Moseley, CB C.J. Goodwin, DB Antone Exum, S Corey Griffin, S Terrell Williams
Best Of The Bunch
Sherman has been named to four Pro Bowls and selected as a first-team All-Pro three times in his seven-year career. And when Seattle released him in March, the 49ers pounced. The 49ers signed him to a three-year, $27 million contract a day later. Sherman, 30, is coming back from surgery to repair a torn Achilles. He did not practice during the 49ers’ offseason program, but he was medically cleared at the start of training camp. He will be on a schedule of practicing two days in a row, then taking one day off. It is unlikely Sherman will be the same dynamic player he was during his time with the Seahawks, but if he is close to his former self, that will be good enough.
[RELATED: Richard Sherman earns $2 million bonus on first day of 49ers training camp]
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Top Camp Battle
Ward vs. Ward. You got that right. Ward, the cornerback, is competing against Ward, the nickel back, and Ward, the safety. He will open camp at cornerback after being the team’s starting free safety last season. “He has the ability to be our best at five positions,” 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan, adding that Ward might also be the second-best player the 49ers have at each of the five prominent positions in the defensive backfield. Also, Ward’s biggest struggle might be just remaining healthy. He has battled injuries throughout his career, including a fractured forearm last season that kept him out of the final eight games of the season.
Long Shot
The 49ers guaranteed $90,000 to McFadden, an undrafted rookie from Florida State. He started 26 games in college, and has the build the 49ers want from their cornerbacks. At 6-foot-2, 205 pounds, McFadden has a chance to develop. At worst, he will be on the practice squad. But if McFadden performs well in the exhibition season, the club may be forced to keep him on the 53-man roster to ensure that he does not get away.
Overview
The 49ers hope to keep their safeties around for a while. Colbert played well when he was forced into the lineup due to injuries last season as a rookie. He is in line to start at free safety. Tartt, the strong safety, signed a two-year extension this offseason that will keep him around through the 2020 season. Witherspoon made large strides as a rookie, and has settled into a starting position opposite Sherman. The 49ers are high on Williams, the nickel back. And, currently, Ward is stationed at the ready behind each of the five projected starters. Moore, a third-round draft pick from Southern Mississippi, gives the team the versatility to be used at corner or safety.