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San Francisco 49ers: Projecting 2017 Starting Lineup after First Wave of NFL Free Agency

By Peter Panacy

Aug 20, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; A general view of the San Francisco 49ers helmet before game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The 49ers beat the Broncos 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Troy Babbitt-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 20, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; A general view of the San Francisco 49ers helmet before game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The 49ers beat the Broncos 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Troy Babbitt-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 13, 2013; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers inside linebacker NaVorro Bowman (53) celebrates after recovering a fumble during the fourth quarter at Candlestick Park. The San Francisco 49ers defeated the Arizona Cardinals 32-20. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 13, 2013; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers inside linebacker NaVorro Bowman (53) celebrates after recovering a fumble during the fourth quarter at Candlestick Park. The San Francisco 49ers defeated the Arizona Cardinals 32-20. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports /

Linebacker

MIKE: NaVorro Bowman

WILL: Malcolm Smith

SAM: Ray-Ray Armstrong

The 49ers’ new 4-3 base formation under defensive coordinator Robert Saleh changes things up a bit.

Perennial All-Pro NaVorro Bowman still holds down the middle linebacker (MIKE) position, and that shouldn’t be of any concern as long as he returns healthy from his Achilles injury. But the strong- and weak-side linebackers could be up in the air.

San Francisco signed former Oakland Raiders linebacker Malcolm Smith to a five-year deal (including three one-year options). Smith might be a tackling machine, but his coverage skills are surely lacking. Pro Football Focus gave the 27 year old a 43.8 coverage grade last season.

Dec 18, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders outside linebacker Malcolm Smith (53) reacts after recovering a fumble during the fourth quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 18, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders outside linebacker Malcolm Smith (53) reacts after recovering a fumble during the fourth quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /

With this in mind, Smith probably should wind up on the weak-side, or WILL, linebacker position where covering tight ends is less of a priority.

The strong-side (SAM) linebacker winds up going to Ray-Ray Armstrong, whose previous experience as a safety should hold up well enough in coverage.

And no, we’re still not expecting veteran linebacker Ahmad Brooks back in a Niners uniform in 2017.