Second-year defensive back Tarvarius Moore is getting a lot of reps with the first-team defense at free safety. Despite any positives he is showing on the practice field, the coaching staff doesn't appear ready to declare him a starting-caliber safety just yet.
"He's been progressively getting better," defensive coordinator Robert Saleh on Tuesday. "He's by no means even close to being an NFL-ready safety by Week 1, but he is getting progressively better."
Four days later, Saleh was asked about Moore again. The coach's view didn't change much, which is understandable. Four days and three more practices aren't enough to significantly alter Saleh's opinion. He did, however, praise the young defensive back while clarifying why Moore is not yet ready to jump into a starting role.
"He's getting better," Saleh said. "Tarvarius does not lack athleticism, does not lack instincts. He does not lack burst or anything like that. That's not his problem. He's not a dumb guy. He's actually really smart. And so, for Tarvarius, he's only been playing the position for a couple weeks, if you think about it, here for our team. He's been a corner."
I'll pause right there because this seems like an excellent opportunity to point out that Moore's natural position in college was at safety. He flourished there. The 49ers decided to move him to cornerback after (or before) making him a third-round draft pick last year.
While Moore felt safety was the most natural fit, the then-rookie defensive back embraced the possibility of a position switch.
"We talked about playing corner some," Moore told reporters via a conference call just minutes after hearing his name called in the draft, "so I could definitely see myself maybe transitioning to corner or that nickel position. I think I'm definitely versatile enough that I can play a lot of positions in the secondary. So, wherever they need me, I'll be happy to go play."
Moore anticipated primarily being used as a safety until San Francisco's coaches told him otherwise. Now, the 49ers are transitioning him back to cornerback, the position many, including Moore, felt made the most sense in the first place.
While the experience of playing at corner makes him more versatile for the 49ers, the lack of experience at his natural position — the position he will play in 2019 — seemingly sets him back a bit.
Saleh doesn't believe Moore lacks the skillset to thrive as a starting NFL safety; he just needs more time. The defensive coordinator wants to see Moore gain confidence in his assignments. That's something that will come with reps.
"The instinctual part, you can see it," Saleh continued. "He gets on course very well. He's got good feel in the backend on when to stay deep and when to cut it short. It's just, he takes really good angles, so he's got a chance to be good. He's just got to continue to get better every day."
Then you have often-injured defensive back Jimmie Ward working his way back from a fractured collarbone. The coaching staff has always been high on Ward. He just hasn't been able to stay on the field. Right now, he is being eased back.
Will Ward be handed the opportunity to start? Saleh isn't ready to commit to anything right now when it comes to the veteran defensive back's place in the depth chart.
"Once we cross that bridge with the trainers and how the performance staff sees it, we'll cross it," Saleh added.