Jaquiski Tartt is unlikely to start at safety during the 2015 season. But after two exhibition games, it’s evident the second-round draft pick from Samford will make an impact on special teams and in a backup role with the 49ers.
In San Francisco’s 23-6 victory over the Cowboys this past weekend, Tartt played significant time at safety, recording two tackles and making a big hit on former 49ers receiver A.J. Jenkins.
And, as Oscar Aparicio of SB Nation noted this week, Tartt received a strong grade of +1.6 from the analytic website Pro Football Focus for his performance against Dallas, when he played roles as a traditional safety and as a hybrid safety/linebacker – near the line of scrimmage – in the nickel defense. Against Dallas he showed his versatility and intelligence, coming up to make stops while also breaking up a deep pass.
The week before, against the Texans, Tartt had six tackles, including one for a loss on a blitz.
Tartt also has been an eager special teams performer this summer. Recently, he told a writer for the 49ers website that he’s competing with L.J. McCray, another young safety, to see who can record the most tackles on special teams.
Eric Reid and Antoine Bethea will be the 49ers’ starters this season, with veteran Craig Dahl, Jimmie Ward and McCray also in the mix for playing time.
Tartt says he’s been picking the brains of his veteran teammates and trying to learn as much as he can. Before the Cowboys game, he said he’s just “grinding” this summer, learning the game and trying to improve.
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He said playing in his first preseason game against the Texans gave him a feel for the NFL, which plays at a much faster pace than college football.
“It was the speed of the game,” he told Taylor Price of 49ers.com. “Going out there and scrimmaging in camp, I thought my first preseason game was going to be like that. But when I got into the game, it was a lot different. I feel like I adjusted towards the end.”
Before the draft, Matt Miller of Bleacher Report labeled Tartt as “an old-school hitter with impact potential … a monster at strong safety.” And Todd McShay of ESPN said Tartt is exceptional against the run, adding: “He gets in the box and drops the hammer.”
Tartt already is showing those qualities, which are likely to loom large in the rugged NFC West this season.
