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San Francisco 49ers: Player stock watch after first week of 2018 training camp

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 05: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers warms up prior to their game against the Arizona Cardinals at Levi's Stadium on November 5, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 05: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers warms up prior to their game against the Arizona Cardinals at Levi's Stadium on November 5, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /
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DENVER, CO – AUGUST 29: Outside linebacker Eli Harold #58 of the San Francisco 49ers rushes the line of scrimmage against tight end Virgil Green #85 of the Denver Broncos during preseason action at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on August 29, 2015 in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos defeated the 49ers 19-12. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – AUGUST 29: Outside linebacker Eli Harold #58 of the San Francisco 49ers rushes the line of scrimmage against tight end Virgil Green #85 of the Denver Broncos during preseason action at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on August 29, 2015 in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos defeated the 49ers 19-12. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) /

Linebacker Eli Harold

The 49ers have an overabundance of players at inside linebacker but aren’t particularly deep on the outside, particularly at SAM, where fourth-year backer Eli Harold is the presumed starter entering 2018.

Harold hasn’t been much of a factor his first three years in the league. Combine that with the plethora of linebackers San Francisco is carrying in camp, it’s feasible to assume Harold’s roster spot is in jeopardy.

This is namely due to the presence of linebackers Reuben Foster, Malcolm Smith, Korey Toomer, Dekoda Watson, Brock Coyle and the rookie, Fred Warner, who is one of the Niners’ best coverage linebackers.

Both Foster and Smith figure to be key pieces for the 49ers defense this season, and Warner is expected to see a lot of action in sub packages.

But Toomer has seen some snaps with the first-team unit, and Warner also saw MIKE duties with the second unit during minicamp. Their abilities could force the Niners to insert either Smith or Coyle into a SAM role, as both have experience playing there, previously.

And with Harold having done relatively little to distinguish himself at camp, it’s a real possibility.

Stock: Falling