49ers vs. Raiders: 3 bubble players who improved roster chances
By Peter Panacy
No. 2: 49ers Linebacker Marcell Harris
Considering how many safeties the Niners onboarded during the offseason, it was almost a foregone conclusion they’d part ways with fourth-year safety Marcell Harris.
Except for defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans elected to take advantage of Harris’ above-average run-stopping abilities by moving him to an in-the-box linebacker.
In this role, Harris has looked far more comfortable, lessening his need to be a pass-coverage player while exploiting his ability to make plays down in the box, and that’s precisely what Harris did against the Raiders.
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In the first half, Harris managed to knock a ball loose from Raiders running back B.J. Emmons. And while Las Vegas eventually recovered and avoided the turnover, officials ruling the play dead before the loose ball, it was Harris who delivered the big hit.
On the day, Harris finished with two tackles, the would-be forced fumble and a pass broken up.
San Francisco has some depth questions at linebacker heading into the regular season, yet it’s still not guaranteed Harris will survive cuts.
Based on what Harris did against the Raiders, though, it’s safe to assume his stock couldn’t be much higher than it is right now.