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NFL Free Agency: Breaking Down the 49ers Free Agents, Cap Casualties in 2017

By Peter Panacy

Nov 20, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Blaine Gabbert (2) before the game against the New England Patriots at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 20, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Blaine Gabbert (2) before the game against the New England Patriots at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 1, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers guard Andrew Tiller (61) looks on from the sideline during the second half of the game against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. San Francisco won 31-21. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 1, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers guard Andrew Tiller (61) looks on from the sideline during the second half of the game against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. San Francisco won 31-21. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports /

Restricted and Exclusive-Rights Free Agents

The 49ers currently have one restricted free agent and five exclusive-rights free agents on the roster heading into the offseason.

There’s a bit of a difference between restricted and exclusive-rights free agents. In a nutshell, teams who lose restricted free agents to another team receive draft compensation, which is why it’s rare for restricted free agents to leave their original team.

Exclusive-rights free agents are under even more control of their own team and can, essentially, only negotiate with said team.

More details on the difference between the two can be found here.

Restricted Free Agents

  • CB Chris Davis

Cornerback Chris Davis earned the nickel role out of training camp, but his momentum didn’t continue much into the regular season. His 44.5 coverage grade, per Pro Football Focus, was the worst among all Niners defense backs.

Davis appeared in four games before tearing his ACL and being placed on injured reserve.

San Francisco likely brings him back as a training camp body if nothing else.

Exclusive Rights Free Agents

  • S Marcus Cromartie
  • G Andrew Tiller
  • ILB Carl Bradford
  • NT Mike Purcell
  • ILB Wynton McManis

Guard Andrew Tiller should be the biggest name standing out on the ERFA list. He’s managed to get in 485 snaps this season and actually has the second-highest overall PFF grade (72.7) out of any Niners interior lineman.

He’ll be back next year. The rest likely will too, considering the ERFA designation. Defensive back Marcus Cromartie and nose tackle Mike Purcell have the best chance to make the 53-man roster next year as depth options.