SF 49ers roster: 3 options to replace Jaquiski Tartt in 2021
By Peter Panacy
No. 2 SF 49ers Option: Marcell Harris
Late in 2018, during parts of 2019 and for portions of 2020, one of the primary beneficiaries of playing time in the wake of Jaquiski Tartt’s injuries was the SF 49ers’ sixth-round pick from the 2018 draft, safety Marcell Harris.
Harris has flashed some excellent moments. His open-field tackles against the Denver Broncos late in 2018 were key in the Niners getting one of their four wins that season, and few can forget his forced fumble against quarterback Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens in 2019.
The problem, though, is Harris has stayed primarily as a run-stopping safety while remaining quite the liability in coverage. Indeed, his already-low 59.3 pass-coverage grade from Pro Football Focus in 2019 regressed immensely last season down to 36.6, suggesting Harris isn’t a likable option to replace Tartt over the long run.
There’s another wrinkle in the mix here, too.
Harris is a restricted free agent this offseason. While it might be nice for the Niners to bring him back on, let’s say, a second-round tender worth just under $3.4 million for 2021, it’s also possible San Francisco lets him walk in favor of the younger, cheaper Jared Mayden.
Unless the SF 49ers feel Harris can turn that proverbial corner and develop into a mid-level quality starter in 2021.