49ers question time: 6 topics for the Niner Noise writers

Question 2. If you had to choose to franchise tag one, would you choose Carlos Hyde or Eric Reid?

Peter Panacy:

"Simple… Eric Reid. There are far more question marks at safety and within the secondary than at running back. While Carlos Hyde led the Niners in total yards from scrimmage, head coach Kyle Shanahan already has a track record of getting the most out of tailbacks. However, the safety spot dealt with more than a few critical injuries last season, and one-year pro Adrian Colbert still has a long way to go before proving himself a regular starter. He’s on his way, but we’ll want to see more."

Aaron Tan:

"To be honest, I don’t see the need to tag any of these guys. Carlos Hyde doesn’t fit Kyle Shanahan’s offensive system and is likely headed out the door. The team already has two very capable safeties on the defense — Jaquiski Tartt and Adrian Colbert, and some depth in Jimmie Ward. Colbert is risky since we only saw a small sample size out of him last year, so if I’d choose one player to tag, it’d be Reid. However, I don’t know if he would start or not since if he did it would stunt Colbert’s development at safety. We could put Reid at linebacker, I guess, but he didn’t seem to like that move last year."

Joseph Naki:

"Neither should be franchised. We move on."

Ikaika Valeria:

"Neither. Matt Breida proved to be a perfect compliment to a starter, which could be drafted this year. We also haven’t seen Joe Williams healthy. Wouldn’t make sense to spend that money. FA pool has cheaper options too. Eric Reid on the other hand is going to be pushed out by the youth. Once again, they’re the cheaper options with more upside. His locker room presence and leadership will be a big hit, though."

Chris Wilson:

"I wouldn’t franchise tag Carlos Hyde or Eric Reid. With expected franchise tender numbers in the $11 million to $12 million range, you’d be paying approximately twice their value on the open market. In addition, Hyde — while finally staying healthy in 2017 — isn’t a great fit in head coach Kyle Shanahan’s offensive system, as he is a huge liability in the passing game and is still learning the outside-zone running game. Meanwhile, while Reid played better in defensive coordinator Robert Saleh’s defensive system in 2017 — especially in the short passing game — he has less value in other systems that include more responsibilities in the deep passing game or in run support, which are not Reid’s strengths. When you add in potential issues surrounding his Anthem protests, Reid may not find the free-agent market as lucrative as he expects."

Florito Maniego:

"I would choose to franchise tag Eric Reid just because he’s been one of the leaders of the 49ers defense for years. His talents on the field are undeniable, but it’s been his leadership that not many players possess that’s needed in the team."

Analysis:

The general consensus is simply not to tag either player for a myriad of reasons, but both did get one vote of confidence each to receive the tag.