San Francisco 49ers: Top 4 takeaways from the initial depth chart release

3. Dre Greenlaw is the lone rookie listed as a starter

Even though Bosa was one of the most hyped rookies in the entire 2019 NFL Draft, he still couldn’t crack the starting lineup in the initial depth chart. Yet there is one 49ers rookie listed as a starter.

Fifth-round pickDre Greenlawis slotted in as the team’s starting strong-side linebacker to begin the season.

Greenlaw has been incredibly impressive this summer and quickly rose up the depth chart due to his strong showings in training camp and the preseason. He impressed so much so that the team even cut both of his competitors for the starting role.

VeteranMalcolm Smithwas released the Tuesday before final roster cuts were due and third-year proElijah Leewas released and added to the practice squad just a couple of days ago.

Greenlaw likely won’t see much time in the nickel package withFred WarnerandKwon Alexanderholding down the fort, but he looks to be the odds-on favorite to start in the team’s base 4-3 defensive alignment.

The 49ers found a draft gem with their third-round linebacker, Warner, last season. And by the early looks of things, they may have done the same thing again this year with Greenlaw.

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