49ers 2018 offseason positional preview: Linebacker

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ATLANTA, GA – DECEMBER 18: Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons slides past Eli Harold #58 of the San Francisco 49ers during the first half at the Georgia Dome on December 18, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

49ers Linebacker with the Most to Prove in 2018: Eli Harold

It’s safe to say Eli Harold’s start to his NFL career hasn’t exactly flashed.

The former Virginia pass-rusher was nary a factor, statistically, the past two seasons and hasn’t had more than 26 tackles in any year. And with just five sacks during his pro tenure, one has to think his pass-rushing prowess from college hasn’t carried over at all:

Eli Harold Defense & Fumbles Table
					Game	Game	Def	Def	Fumb	Fumb	Fumb	Sack	Sack	Sack
Year	Age	Tm	Pos	No.	G	GS	Int	PD	FF	FR	Yds	Sk	Tkl	Ast	AV
2015	21	SFO	lb	58	16	1			0	1	8		8	5	2
2016	22	SFO	LB/rolb	58	16	13	0	1	1	1	19	3.0	23	14	5
2017	23	SFO	LB	57	16	11						2.0	26	8	5
Care	Care				48	25	0	1	1	2	27	5.0	57	27	12

Provided by Pro-Football-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 7/19/2018.

And the analytical data doesn’t show anything much better either.

According to Pro Football Focus, Harold’s overall grade in 2017 checked in at minus-7.9. It’s better than the minus-11.4 mark he posted the previous year, back when the Niners defense was horrid, although it’s still not much of an improvement. And with negative grades in both run defense and the pass rush the past two years, Harold enters 2018 on the hot seat.

Fortunately, this season marks the first time in Harold’s pro career in which he’s worked under the same defensive coordinator for two years in a row. Remember, the Niners changed out their coaching staffs in 2016 and 2017.

That could be a major bonus. But having the stigma of being a pick from former general manager Trent Baalke, Harold’s long-term status with the team doesn’t look good.

Especially if a player like Malcolm Smith or Fred Warner pushes him out.