49ers: Laying out San Francisco's depth chart after roster cuts

San Francisco 49ers: Laying out the depth chart after roster cuts

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - AUGUST 27: Brian Hoyer #2 of the San Francisco 49ers hands the ball to teammate Carlos Hyde #28 against the San Francisco 49ers during the second quarter in the preseason game on August 27, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

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TAMPA, FL – JANUARY 7: Linebacker Reuben Foster #10 of the Alabama Crimson Tide speaks to members of the media during the College Football Playoff National Championship Media Day on January 7, 2017 at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images) /

Linebacker

MIKE: NaVorro Bowman

WILL: Reuben Foster

SAM: Eli Harold

Backups: Ray-Ray Armstrong, Brock Coyle, Dekoda Watson

This is a fairly easy projection to make.

Rookie linebacker Reuben Foster was one of the top 49ers storylines in the preseason. His ball-tracking skills and hard-hitting tackles certainly reminding Niners fans of another young linebacker from the previous decade, Patrick Willis:

He and MIKE linebacker NaVorro Bowman are going to be fun to watch.

The only interesting point of note is whether or not third-year pro Eli Harold can live up to starting-caliber expectations. Harold, of course, was promoted in this way after San Francisco parted ways with Ahmad Brooks earlier this preseason.

Depth could be a bit of a concern here, but the linebacker group looks vastly improved over what we saw in 2016.