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According to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport, Indianapolis Colts free agent safety Tavon Wilson has signed with the San Francisco 49ers on a one-year deal:
The #49ers have agreed to terms with #Colts FA defensive back Tavon Wilson on a 1-year deal, source said. He spent the earlier portion of his career with the #Lions and #Patriots.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 22, 2021
The 31 year old veteran safety appeared in 15 games last year for the Colts—making two starts, and recorded 26 tackles (23 solo), 2 tackles for loss, a pass defensed, and a fumble recovery.
He was originally a 2012 second round pick of the New England Patriots, where he spent 4 seasons before joining the Detroit Lions for another 4 seasons—prior to joining Indianapolis ahead of the 2020 campaign.
With a season-ending injury to Malik Hooker this past year, Wilson was thrusted into the Colts’ third safety role with up-and-down results—as he had some coverage lapses.
That being said, better suited in a strong safety role in the box than as a rangy, centerfield coverage safety, Wilson still has value as a special teams contributor, in certain sub-packages near the line of scrimmage, and as a veteran mentor in the 49ers locker room.
While special teams ace George Odum (RFA) should be in serious play for the third safety spot among others in 2021, it wouldn’t be surprising if the Colts look at draft weekend to bring in another safety to seriously compete for such a prominent secondary role.