Niner Noise
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San Francisco 49ers: Grading each position heading into 2018 training camp

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 26: Solomon Thomas #94 and Eli Harold #57 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrate after the Seattle Seahawks missed a field goal attempt at Levi's Stadium on November 26, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 26: Solomon Thomas #94 and Eli Harold #57 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrate after the Seattle Seahawks missed a field goal attempt at Levi's Stadium on November 26, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – NOVEMBER 26: Reuben Foster #56 and Brock Coyle #50 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrate after tackling Tyler Lockett #16 of the Seattle Seahawks at Levi’s Stadium on November 26, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – NOVEMBER 26: Reuben Foster #56 and Brock Coyle #50 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrate after tackling Tyler Lockett #16 of the Seattle Seahawks at Levi’s Stadium on November 26, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /

. LINEBACKER . A. .

Key Additions: Fred Warner, Koorey Toomer

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SEC News: Foster to join USFL, South Carolina adds two commits
SEC News: Foster to join USFL, South Carolina adds two commits /

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    • The 49ers sure are glad second-year linebacker Reuben Foster‘s off-field transgressions didn’t develop into anything more than a whirlwind story. And while he may still face a suspension from the NFL, it won’t be too long. Perhaps a game or two.

    On the field, Foster is an elite-level talent. His 90.7 overall Pro Football Focus grade ranked fourth among all qualifying linebackers and best among rookies. As long as he can stay healthy, there’s no doubt San Francisco has a perennial All-Pro in the making.

    Yet the Niners linebacking corps should be stronger all around this year. After missing 2017 with a pectoral injury, Malcolm Smith returns to the fray. And he’ll be joined by BYU rookie Fred Warner, whom the 49ers selected in Round 3 of the 2018 NFL Draft.

    Adding former Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Korey Toomer in free agency should help with depth as well.

    That depth was a key problem for San Francisco last season. Yet the Niners’ moves in 2018 have turned this group into one of the more potent and deep on the entire roster.

    The 49ers linebackers aren’t quite reminiscent of the days of Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman. But nearly any other team in the league would be happy to boast a group of the kind San Francisco has now.

    Easy A-grade here.