Jaquiski Tartt was a second-round pick from Samford. Tartt was spent six seasons with the 49ers but now is set to enter free agency for the first time. The Chicago Bears have interest in bringing back Tashaun Gipson but could find themselves with a new safety sign this offseason.
Should the Chicago Bears be interested in signing Jaquiski in NFL free agency?
Projectd contract for Jaquiski Tartt
According to Over the Cap, Tartt is expected to see somewhere in the range of $2.6, and $3.4 million per year. These numbers are factoring his injury history, which will mention. However, PFF thinks that based on his on-the-field play, he could be worth closer to $4.5 million.
The difference between $2.6 and $4.5 is big, not a deal-breaker. At the right price, would the Chicago Bears be interested in Tartt?
Chicago Bears should sign Jaquiski Tartt in NFL free agency
Many fans want Eddie Jackson to stick to his single high ways, but even the Vic Fangio defense played a fair amount of two-high. Jackson may be in the box less next year than the year prior, but if the Sean Desai defense adapts similar principles, he would like versatility in his safety play.
His defense works on showing two-high and having the ability to shift either into the box. With that in mind, Tartt is one of the most versatile safeties of the free agents available.
He leaned to playing more in the box, but through his career has played 59% of his snaps in the box. The blend of keeping Jackson out of the box, but also being a combination safety who can drop deep is what brings a lot of attraction to Chicago.
Chicago Bears should pass on Jaquiski Tartt in NFL free agency
Over the past four years, Tartt has missed 7, 8, 4, and 9 games due to injury. That is going to come with the question of whether he can hold up long enough to be trusted to sign. He also has four interceptions in six seasons. Tartt comes off as a poor man Adrian Amos.
He is reliable, versatile, and a good tackler. He is a good fit on paper next to Eddie Jackson. However, he lacks the ball skills to make big plays, and with Tartt, he comes with the asterisk of injury.
Beyond that, Tartt was reportedly one of the players who would like to follow Robert Saleh to the Jets. If the Jets offer $3, would the Bears have to offer $4.5 to get him to come to Chicago in free agency? Tartt would be a nice fit for the right price, but like Amos, there is absolutely a ceiling to the price tag.