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San Francisco 49ers: An Early Look at the Team’s 2017 Free Agents

By Peter Panacy

Jan 3, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Blaine Gabbert looks over the defense against the St. Louis Rams in the fourth quarter at Levi's Stadium. The 49ers defeated the Rams 19-16 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Blaine Gabbert looks over the defense against the St. Louis Rams in the fourth quarter at Levi's Stadium. The 49ers defeated the Rams 19-16 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mike Purcell
August 23, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers nose tackle Mike Purcell (64) scores a touchdown after intercepting the football against the Dallas Cowboys during the second quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

Exclusive Rights Free Agents

49ers ERFA Players

  • OG Andrew Tiller
  • CB Marcus Cromartie
  • DT Mike Purcell
  • TE Je’Ron Hamm
  • LB Shayne Skov

In a nutshell, exclusive rights free agents (ERFAs) are basically controlled by the team with which they signed. Typically, these players are undrafted free agents and have no more than two accrued years at the NFL level. ERFAs can only negotiate contracts with the team that signed them.

Over the Cap broke down the basics:

"I’m not even sure why these players are called free. These are the players with 2 or less seasons in the league, a status reserved almost solely for undrafted rookie type players. Once tendered they can only negotiate with their former team. The tender offer is only a one year non-guaranteed contract at the minimum salary level so most teams would use the ERFA designation on players who were on the roster late in the prior year and signed to a 1 year deal. Usually these offers are signed as soon as they are made since nothing is gained by waiting."

Offensive guard Andrew Tiller, who started seven games with the 49ers last season, and nose tackle Mike Purcell are the most notable names on this list.

Tiller will be competing for a starting-guard spot with fellow linemen Zane Beadles and Joshua Garnett. At worst, Tiller is an amicable backup and probably has the edge over fellow guards Marcus Martin and Brandon Thomas. Tiller should be able to stay.

Purcell is also a solid backup option, and one for which the Niners may have use depending on projected-starting nose tackle Ian Williams’ (ankle) status for the start of 2016.

Considering the rest have, essentially, zero negotiating rights outside of the 49ers right now, the remaining cast likely winds up being retained either for depth or spots on the practice squad.

Who knows? Maybe linebacker Shayne Skov emerges as the dark-horse candidate to start alongside fellow inside linebacker NaVorro Bowman this season.

Note: Spotrac.com lists only Skov and tight end Je’Ron Hamm as ERFA players, so there may be a bit of confusion here if you’re doing in-depth research.

Next: Restricted Free Agents