The 49ers have added a quality piece to their secondary, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network, agreeing to terms with former Panthers safety Myles Hartsfield. The Panthers recently opted not to tender Hartsfield, and despite discussions aimed at a return, the versatile defensive back heads to San Francisco after three years in Carolina. 
An undrafted free agent out of Ole Miss in 2020, Hartsfield made the Panthers’ initial 53-man roster after practicing at both safety and running back in training camp. It took a while before he made his debut, and while he initially started play as a special teamer, the Panthers couldn’t resist including him on defense more and more. By the end of the season, he was a regular rotation on defense.
In his sophomore season, Hartsfield was placed on injured reserve after Week 1. After seven games on IR, Hartsfield earned his first career start and would start the remainder of the season. His usage that year displayed his versatility as he spent very little time at safety and most of his snaps either in the slot or in the box.
Last year, Hartsfield continued in his versatile role, starting ten games for the Panthers. He spent much more time at the safety position in 2022 but still spent the majority of his snaps in the slot and a good amount in the box. Over three years in Carolina, Hartsfield has racked up 118 total tackles, five tackles for loss, one sack, two quarterback hits, two fumble recoveries, a forced fumble, and seven passes defensed.
The 49ers are all set at safety. Despite the departure of Jimmie Ward, San Francisco still returns both starters in Talanoa Hufanga and Tashaun Gipson, who re-signed with the team earlier this week. Hartsfield should be a strong option to play at nickel or as a box safety. His presence provides the 49ers already stellar defense with a versatile weapon.
Nice…
Excellent chess piece for the 49ers to use, and this should also help with losing their backup ILB Al-Shaiir, as he can substitute and play in the box..
By bringing in Oliver and Hartsfield the 49ers brought in two extremely solid and versatile DBs that seem to excel at tackling. That just goes right along with what the 49ers love to do, and that’s to not give up big gains, nor allow alot of YAC by having sure tacklers.
Mooney Ward, Deommodore Lenoir, Samuel Womack, Isaiah Oliver, Myles Hartsfield, Talanoa Hufanga, Tashaun Gipson, Q.Knight, G.Odum, etc. these guys should all combine to form a very formidable secondary for the 49ers next season.
Inside and outside, combined with their excellent coverage LBs in Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw the 49ers should continue wreaking havoc on teams forcing more and more coverage sacks, and allowing Bosa, Armstead, Drake Jackson, Javon Hargrave, Kevin Givens, Clelin Ferrell, T.Y. McGill, and Javon Kinlaw plenty of time to collapse the pocket and get after the opposing team’s QB.
Not to mention, they also have interest in another versatile DB Lonnie Johnson as well, so it should allow the 49ers to do what they do best, and that’s letting their players play to their strengths by putting them in the best situations to succeed…
The 49ers could use some more Edge depth, but I’m sure they won’t disappoint with plenty of able players still left, along with the draft as well.
Very interested to see how they attack the draft. Do they move up and go quality over quantity or just try to hit on all those thirds?
I think there’s a chance they might try to move up for a RT, but they may be comfortable with McKivitz and Moore competing for the job with an outside chance Zakelj or however you spell his name gets a look, but I think he might be an interior guy.
If I had to bet, I’d say they only move up on draft night, probably in the mid to late 2nd round range, and that’s only if an EDGE or OT prospect falls that they’ve identified they are collectively high on..
Idk maybe they include Kinlaw in such a trade, but I’d like for them to keep Kinlaw. After last year, I think it is obvious this team can NEVER have enough DT depth..lol Even though they’ll still have Hargrove, Armstead, Kinlaw, Givens, McGill, and Kalia Davis…lol
Outside of those two positions, though, I think they’re more than comfortable sitting back and making minor moves for this year and maybe adding a pick or two next year possibly as well..
It’ll probably take awhile, but with their 11 picks it will eventually get interesting..lol