San Francisco 49ers do not use franchise tag in 2013, per sources

By Dylan DeSimone

On Monday, March 4, the franchise tag deadline (4:00 p.m. ET) came and went, with very little action on the behalf of franchises around the league. Last year, 21 players were hit with the franchise tender, but with an increase in the rate from year-to-year, many players are being allowed to walk.

The Chiefs, however, may a last-second play, re-signing Dwayne Bowe to a five-year extension and tagging left tackle Branden Albert. This is great news for quarterback Alex Smith, who is still a member of the San Francisco 49ers for the time being.

Speaking of the Niners, it appears the team elected not to use their franchise tag in 2013.

Asked if he's received franchise tag, #49ers Dashon Goldson just texted at 1:06 p.m.: "No word."
— Eric Branch (@Eric_Branch) March 4, 2013

San Francisco's main candidate for the tag was Dashon Goldson. The All-Pro safety played under the tender in 2012, which is expired. With a 120 percent increase on the rate, the 49ers deemed the tag was too expensive to apply to Goldson for a second year in a row.

Delanie Walker and Isaac Sopoaga were other big name players set to be free agents, however, they were both long shots for the tag. Neither is a full-time player, and once again, the price of the tag would be too substantial to bother fitting under the cap.

#49ers spokesman says team has "no pending announcements." Translation: No franchise tag for team's pending free agents.
— Eric Branch (@Eric_Branch) March 4, 2013

Now, the 49ers are free to try and renegotiate with these players, but the feeling is each one will be wearing different colors in 2013. The 49ers have an awful lot of available picks in April and a prestigious draft prowess. They will be looking to upgrade at safety, tight end and on the defensive line.

Here is a complete list of the 49ers 2013 free agents:

Dashon Goldson

Delanie Walker

Isaac Sopoaga