The San Francisco 49ers have announced that they will not pick up the 2018 option for their 2017 sack leader, Elvis Dumervil. However, the team is picking up the 2018 option for linebacker Dekoda Watson and have tendered a one-year contract to exclusive rights free agent running back Raheem Mostert.
"I want to thank Elvis for everything he contributed to our team last year both on the field and throughout our building," said 49ers general manager John Lynch via a statement issued by the team. "Not only did he bring a great deal of veteran leadership to our locker room at a time of significant change, but he provided a spark to our defense. Although Elvis isn't in our current plans, we would never close the door on a potential return in the future. As a long-time friend, I wish him and his family well."
Lynch is a former teammate of Dumervil's. The two played together with the Denver Broncos in 2006 and 2007.
Dumervil appeared in 16 games last season while registering 13 combined tackles and a team-high 6.5 sacks after signing a two-year deal with the 49ers on June 5, 2017. He has 105.5 sacks over his 12-year NFL career, which ranks 26th all-time.
Dumervil is a five-time Pro Bowl (2009, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015) pass rusher and a two-time first-team All-Pro (2009, 2014).
Watson appeared in 14 games last season while recording eight combined tackles on defense and another six on special teams after signing with the 49ers on March 17, 2017. The eight-year veteran played in nine games for the Broncos in 2016 and finished with six tackles and a team-high 11 special teams tackles.
Before joining the Broncos, Watson spent time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Dallas Cowboys, and New England Patriots. Amid the 49ers' five-game winning streak to end the 2017 season, he was a guest on the "No Huddle Podcast." Below, you can listen to Watson describe the team's mentality during that time.
Mostert appeared in each of the 49ers' first 11 games of the 2017 season and carried the football six times for 30 yards. He also added a team-high eight tackles on special teams. Mostert originally joined the 49ers after being signed to the team's practice squad on November 28, 2016.
Mostert entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2015 and has appeared in games with the Miami Dolphins, Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, and Chicago Bears.