4 veterans who’ll be pushed off 49ers roster by 2021 draft picks
By Peter Panacy
No. 2: 49ers Safety Marcell Harris
Fourth-year pro safety Marcell Harris was already on the roster bubble before the NFL Draft, particularly after the 49ers signed veteran free-agent defensive back Tavon Wilson to a one-year deal.
But after the Niners drafted USC safety Talanoa Hufanga in Round 5, Harris’ hold on a roster spot became even more precarious.
Neither Hufanga nor Harris would be pegged to start at strong safety this year. That job is reserved for Jaquiski Tartt, although Tartt’s lengthy injury history makes it necessary to have a quality backup.
Harris helped fill the void the last three years, although his woes in pass coverage haven’t improved much at all, as evidenced by his lowly 36.6 pass-coverage grade from Pro Football Focus last year.
True, Hufanga lacks straight-line speed. But he’s shown the ability to be a ballhawk, particularly after his four interceptions in six games for the Trojans last year. And Hufanga also offers up something in the pass-rush department, too, which hasn’t been Harris’ forte since he was drafted back in 2018.
In all likelihood, Harris is going to be shown the door unless Hufanga’s early progress during OTAs and training camp hits a wall.