The San Francisco 49ers announced on Tuesday that they have placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on NT Aubrayo Franklin. Franklin was scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent on March 5.
If Franklin were to receive a contract offer from another club, the 49ers will have the right to match the offer. If they choose not to match the offer, then the team would receive two first-round draft choices as compensation.The franchise tender will provide Franklin with a one-year contract equivalent to the average of the top five highest paid players at his position in the NFL.
"Aubrayo has proven to be a valuable contributor to our defense and we are looking forward to having him on our team going forward," said general manager Scot McCloughan. "Although a contract extension has not been completed at this time, we will continue to have discussions with Aubrayo and his agent."
Franklin, 29, has recorded 291 tackles, four sacks, one interception and three forced fumbles in his seven-year NFL career, while with the Baltimore Ravens and 49ers. During the past three seasons in San Francisco, he has tallied 226 tackles, three sacks, one interception and three forced fumbles, in 46 games played (44 starts). Franklin was originally the Ravens first of two fifth round picks (146th overall) in the 2003 NFL Draft. The Johnson City, TN, native starred collegiately at The University of Tennessee.
