When I look at the safety of San Francisco 49ers Marcell Harris, I forget how young and inexperienced he is. Sometimes it shows. Other times, Harris looks like a player you feel comfortable playing extended shots with. Harris has had some ups and downs in one-time service in 2019, and that’s to be expected from a draft in 2018. Harris played 340 shots last year while starting four games in December. He didn’t start against the Ravens, but Harris’ most notable play of the season came when he forced a fumble while Baltimore was driving.
Eric Crocker of Fourth and Nine did a great job in this Harris breaking thread. With Harris, being aggressive against the race isn’t a problem. Being too aggressive and leaving your feet was. Harris missed seven tackles in 340 shots. Compare that to Jimmie Ward’s four 819 shots, or Jaquiski Tartt’s five 689 shots, and it gives you an idea of what Harris needs to improve. Sometimes you would see Harris not trusting what he saw, whether in the passing game or when filling against the run, and that caused Harris to play slower than he should. In the men’s coverage, Harris tends to be a little addicted. He’s playing like a player who hasn’t played a ton of male cover.
There are a lot of positive traits Harris brings to the table, and they all fit well with what the Niners want to do on defense. In the role of thief, “eraser”, Tartt is at his best in the cover. He can sit on the roads, jump them and enter the launching lanes. In addition, it will hit you and you will knock it down. Harris had 17 saves, four less than Tartt, and five breakouts, three more than Tartt. Harris is active.
Basic information
Size: 6’0 ”
Weight: 208 lbs
Age: 26 (shot June 9)
Experience: Two accumulated seasons
Ceiling state
Harris signed a four-year contract with the San Francisco 49ers worth $ 2,626,300 on May 11, 2018. Harris received a signing bonus of $ 166,300. Harris was the 184th pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. His cap is $ 750,000 for 2020, though none of that is guaranteed.
Chances of making the list in 2020
The security group will have a few new faces as we approach training camp. Harris is not a lock as he was in the sixth round. It also doesn’t mean that it’s easy to replace. Harris will have to top Jared Mayden and DeMarkus Acy of UDFA. Harris also plays all special teams units for the 49ers. He was one of the top 49ers on special teams last year, so rookies will need to show they can help both on defense and on special teams. Without a pre-season, it will prove difficult.
What to expect in 2020
Harris is an ideal backup. He needs to improve his “eye discipline”. The Saints game was on your mind when Harris missed a tackle that led to a touchdown. This game sums up where Harris needs to improve. He had a threat as a deep security; he saw the road develop. There was a slight hesitation, and that allowed the pass to be completed. These types of games happen. Now you have to finish. Harris didn’t, and the next thing you know, hit him.
When Harris wasn’t playing as deep security he was pretty good. Underneath the cover, he’s a lot better than fans think. The problem is, the 49ers like their safeties to be interchangeable with the frequency of offense movements, so Harris needs to improve his in-depth coverage if he is to see the pitch in depth this year.
Harris can play. It attacks the line of scrimmage like a heat seeking missile, but does well in limited targets. Harris has plenty of tools to work with, and if he continues to progress as a player, the 49ers may not need to make it through the next offseason safe if they can’t bring Tartt back.
