San Francisco 49ers: Player stock watch after first week of 2018 training camp
By Peter Panacy
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.