Niner Noise
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San Francisco 49ers: Top 4 position battles to watch in OTAs

By Jeremy Wohlfart

SANTA CLARA, CA - JULY 30: Ronald Johnson #88 of the San Francisco 49ers catches a pass over Tramaine Brock #26 during practice at the San Francisco 49ers training facility on July 30, 2011 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - JULY 30: Ronald Johnson #88 of the San Francisco 49ers catches a pass over Tramaine Brock #26 during practice at the San Francisco 49ers training facility on July 30, 2011 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – DECEMBER 24: Reuben Foster #56 of the San Francisco 49ers warms up prior to their game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Levi’s Stadium on December 24, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Robert Reiners/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – DECEMBER 24: Reuben Foster #56 of the San Francisco 49ers warms up prior to their game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Levi’s Stadium on December 24, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Robert Reiners/Getty Images) /

No. 2: Linebacker

Please, let the Reuben Foster saga end.

A lot has been going on, click here if you missed it, but it has dragged on too long.

We should see a lot of interesting battles, with Malcolm Smith back from injury and Foster tied up in these legal issues, and facing a suspension by the NFL even if he is cleared.

Draftee watch

I said it before, I love Fred Warner.

The sole draftee at linebacker, I’ve written that he could be a Week 1 starter, and I stand by that.

Watch out for his versatility, meaning the 49ers can shuttle him from MIKE to WILL linebacker as needed.

Keep an eye on

Still keeping up with the Warner crush here. Even if Foster and Smith solidify themselves as starters, Warner will still be fighting hard for snaps on defense and could still even snag a starting role.