The free agency period officially begins Thursday March 9 at 1 p.m., and the 49ers will reportedly allow three restricted free agents to hit the open market. The team has decided not to tender contracts for next season to running back DuJuan Harris, cornerbacks Marcus Cromartie and Chris Davis according to Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee.
Because the three are restricted free agents, the 49ers will have the ability to match any deal offered by another team if they so desire. The three will join 17 unrestricted free agents who will also hit the open market on March 9.
Harris was the 49ers’ fifth leading rusher in 2016, finishing with 138 yards on 3.6 yards per carry. Harris, 28, was excellent in his only start for San Francisco against the Saints on Nov. 6, where he gained 142 all-purpose yards, rushed for 5.9 yards per carry, and scored a 47-yard receiving touchdown.
Harris has played for eight teams during his six year career, and joined the 49ers at the end of the 2015 season when the team was decimated by injuries at the running back position. With Harris and Shaun Draughn hitting free agency, the running backs remaining on the 49ers’ roster consist of Carlos Hyde, Mike Davis and Raheem Mostert.
Cromartie, 26, was signed by the 49ers in 2014, and spent most of his time on the practice squad until 2015, when he was forced into the starting lineup due to injury. Cromartie, who can play both the corner and saftey positions, started only one game for San Francisco in 2016.
The 49ers signed Davis in 2015, and he began the season as the team’s starting nickel back before sustaining a torn ACL in October. San Francisco’s signing of nickel specialist K’Waun Williams last month put Davis’ return to the team in jeopardy.