To get a better look at the 49ers’ roster and their NFL Draft needs, we’re taking a daily look at position groups. Today’s offering: Linebacker
WHO’S HERE
Starters: Fred Warner, Dre Greenlaw, Azeez Al-Shaair. Backups: Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, Nathan Gerry, Jonas Griffith
2021 OUTLOOK
Rewarding Warner with a contract extension remains a financial priority, though a reduced salary cap could hinder that effort or delay it before his rookie deal expires after 2022. Just don’t expect a DeForest Buckner-type exit amid a contract war. Warner’s ascent to All-Pro status takes the sting out of a wasted first-round selection in 2017 of Reuben Foster.
“Big Play Dre” Greenlaw’s growth helped convince the 49ers to ship out Kwon Alexander last year, so a Warner-Greenlaw tandem on the inside certainly could contend for NFL supremacy.
The 49ers’ linebacker unit is a homegrown unit, with Warner coming in the 2018 third round, Greenlaw in the 2019 fifth. The undrafted Al-Shaair and Flannigan-Fowles have each flashed so look for competition at strong-side linebacker. Although Gerry arrived in free agency from the Eagles, the 49ers still need more depth.
QUOTE TO NOTE
“We liked (Warner) coming in. I can tell you, that’s one of the good stories, when he’s exceeded every expectation we’ve had of him when he came in here, and we had high expectations. We’ll take that (extension) when it comes and Fred’s a special leader, a special player and a big part of the fabric of this team. I see that as an opportunity and we’ll find a way to keep him here.” – GM John Lynch, Jan. 4.
DRAFT EXPECTATIONS
One of their five picks on Day 3 of the draft certainly could go to a linebacker. There’s no pressing need for an immediate starter (Micah Parsons, Penn State; Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Notre Dame). What there is room for is a linebacker who could make an immediate impact on special teams and back up the starting tandem of Warner-Greenlaw.
New defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans is a former NFL linebacker so, if he has any draft say, he certainly could push for a prospect who catches his eye. If the 49ers don’t take an Ohio State product at quarterback early, they could still add a Buckeye in Baron Browning or Pete Werner.
LOCAL OPTION
Curtis Robinson (Stanford)
Ethan Aguayo (San Jose State)
PRIORITY (Scale: 1 to 10): 8
