Linebacker Brock Coyle
One would assume the 49ers would rather have former Niners linebacker NaVorro Bowman starting over Brock Coyle. But Bowman is gone now, and Coyle has seen quite a number of first-team snaps over the last two weeks.
Cut out for this, Coyle is not. In fairness, though, Coyle’s job wasn’t to be a starting linebacker when he was signed last offseason.
Coyle is a special teams ace and reserve option at best. Like the moves made by Kyle Shanahan for his offense, Coyle comes from the Seattle Seahawks’ style of defense — a tailor-made fit for defensive coordinator Robert Saleh.
Keeping some continuity on special teams is important, although that would be the only reason Coyle is retained for 2018.
Prediction: Re-signed