Editor’s note: In preparation for the start of 49ers training camp later this month, we’ll go through each position and break down our projected depth chart and project each player’s chances at making the team. The first practice is scheduled for July 26.

There was a ton of movement at safety for the 49ers in 2017. They began the season with 2014 first-round pick Jimmie Ward switched to free safety after previously playing corner. At strong safety, veteran Eric Reid was asked to move from a traditional role to play near the line of scrimmage.

Then injuries happened. Ward missed most of training camp after suffering a hamstring strain during a conditioning test in July, before later suffering a fractured forearm midway through the campaign and finishing his third season on injured reserve.

Reid suffered a knee injury Week 2, paving the way for Jaquiski Tartt to move from a third safety and hybrid role to the starting strong safety spot (Tartt replaced Ward at free safety initially). But Tartt also ended up fracturing a forearm a week after Ward did, leading to Reid regaining the starting job playing alongside rookie seventh-round pick Adrian Colbert.

Colbert became one of the stories of the defense as the season wore on. He acclimated quickly after being drafted to provide depth at cornerback and provide speed and toughness on special teams. He switched to safety in training camp with Ward on the shelf and the strides were immediate.

Colbert appears entrenched as the starting free safety going forward. But as we saw last season, things can change. The responsibilities for free safeties in the scheme are unique to San Francisco, Seattle, San Diego, Jacksonville and Atlanta, who run different versions of Pete Carroll’s playbook.

Generally, one safety is deep as the last line of defense. Coordinator Robert Saleh calls the position “The Eraser” to help make up for mistakes made by any of the other 10 defenders. Seahawks safety Earl Thomas has been the standard at the position in recent years.

Let’s take a look at the 49ers’ free safety position after the defense ranked 22nd against the pass last season, allowing 235 yards per game.

Adrian Colbert

It was clear right away Colbert was going to be an asset on special teams. The seventh-round pick flew down the field on punt and kickoff coverage in training camp and the preseason, providing a noticeable boost in the third phase. But what was more surprising was his rise as a true free safety.

Colbert made a slew of notable plays throughout his rookie campaign after stepping in when Ward and Tartt went down with injuries. He broke up long passes during the team’s first win of the season against the Giants in Week 10. He played most of that game with a fractured thumb, had surgery, and only missed one game thereafter with the help of a bye during Week 11.

(San Francisco 49ers defensive back Adrian Colbert #38 -Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports)

He helped seal the win in Houston weeks later by planting a big hit on Pro-Bowl receiver DeAndre Hopkins to force a fumble, giving the 49ers a second-consecutive road win with Jimmy Garoppolo as the starter. Colbert forced another fumble in the finale against the Rams.

Colbert is still far from a finished product. He could improve his ball skills – evident by an easy dropped interception in the Jaguars game – and take better angles in pursuit. He’s one of the team’s fastest players but will often be too aggressive and allow running lanes outside.

Once Colbert cleans up those small areas of his game, he could develop into a high-level starter. He finished the year with 32 tackles, five pass breakups, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. He changed his jersey number to 27 this season.

Projection: Starter

Chances Colbert makes the roster: 99 percent