49ers free agency: Who will pair with Talanoa Hufanga at safety?

SANTA CLARA – Talanoa Hufanga may need a new wingman to form the 49ers’ next safety tandem.

Tashaun Gipson, a steady veteran who arrived just before last season, is unsigned for 2023.

So is Jimmie Ward, who did not hide his disdain last season in reverting to nickel back and losing his free safety job to Gipson while injured.

Also slated for free agency is Tarvarius Moore, a once-promising safety who evolved into a special teams ace.

Hufanga, fresh off earning his first Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors, can’t patrol the back of an elite defense by himself — and especially not with an aggressive nature that occasionally led to big-play breakdowns last season.

If the 49ers lose safeties in free agency, perhaps others could arrive. Here is a look at that landscape:

WHO’S HERE

Hufanga, George Odum, Tayler Hawkins

Hufanga is entering his third season, so there’s plenty of tape on him, from when he’s been aided by a veteran sidekick. Odum is a special-teams star, not a starting safety. Hawkins excelled on the 49ers’ scout team last season after arriving as an undrafted rookie.

PENDING FREE AGENTS

Ward, Gipson, Moore

After collecting close to $50 million since the 49ers drafted him in the first round in 2014, Ward seems determined to hit free agency rather than earn a place in the franchise’s 10-year Wall Club. Gipson, 32, started all 20 games last season, and he recorded four of his five interceptions in the final five regular-season games. General manager John Lynch told reporters last month the 49ers want Gipson to return and that he wants to continue his career, but that still seems like a short-term fix. Moore’s 2021 season was wiped out by a torn Achilles, and he had just four special-teams tackles last season

EXTERNAL CANDIDATES

Jesse Bates III (Bengals), Jordan Poyer (Bills), C.J. Gardner-Johnson (Eagles), Vonn Bell (Bengals), Julian Love (Giants), Donovan Wilson (Cowboys), Juan Thornhill (Chiefs), Marcus Epps (Eagles), Adrian Amos (Packers), Juston Burris (Panthers).

Bates rightfully is due a big payday, it’s just not likely coming from the 49ers. Poyer is an over-30 veteran who was an injury magnet, and the 49ers already had that in Ward (Poyer also has said he “would love to go to a state that doesn’t take half my money (via taxes).”

This is the third installment of a five-part series previewing the 49ers’ approach to free agency