2. Surprising changes are made at linebacker
The 49ers have worked hard to revamp their linebacker core in an effort to relive the glory days of San Francisco linebackers withPatrick WillisandNaVorro Bowmanroaming the middle of the defense.
And last season was a step in the right direction as third-round pickFred Warneremerged as a true star on defense leading the team in tackles at the end of the season. On top of that, the team signedKwon Alexanderin the offseason to further solidify the unit.
But the team’s third starting linebacker remained up in the air going into the summer.
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VeteranMalcolm Smithremained the incumbent starter but he was released earlier in the week following a disappointing training camp and preseason. That left a few different players as possible starting candidates.
Now, following a few surprise cuts, the clear front-runner for the job is 2019 fifth-round pickDre Greenlaw. Greenlaw has reportedly been impressive all summer and has done enough to warrant a look with the starters in the base 4-3 defense.
The surprising release of returning role playerElijah Lee— who started five games with the team last year — pretty much assures Greenlaw a starting spot.
San Francisco also made the surprising decision to release core special teamerDavid Mayowho was due over $1 million in guaranteed money. Instead, the 49ers opted to roll with the undrafted rookieAzeez Al-Shaahiras the final linebacker on the roster.
Lee’s absence likely signals a bigger role for Greenlaw while the same could be said for Mayo’s departure with Al-Shaahir. And at the end of the day, both moves were ultimately pretty surprising.
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