49ers unlikely to use franchise tag
By Josh Sanchez
Teams around the NFL can begin using the franchise tag on Feb. 17, so they are beginning to take a look at their pending free agents to determine whether or not there is a player that they view as a viable option to be slapped with the tag.
The San Francisco 49ers have a handful of intriguing options with wide receiver Anquan Boldin, safety Donte Whitner and cornerback Tarrell Brown, but it looks like they may not be using the franchise tag on any of their eligible players, according to CSN Bay Area.
Franchise tags for their top three options may be a bit too pricey — $8 million to tag Whitner, $11.5 million to tag Boldin and $11.2 million for Brown — so they would be better suited to keep their focus on working out deals with the trio of players.
It would be a bit surprising if the 49ers didn’t re-sign Boldin, Brown and Whitner, but they may have a hard time keeping their safety if he chooses to look for a big pay day.