Niner Noise
FanSided

49ers training camp 2018: Solomon Thomas making strides, D.J. Reed impressing

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CA - AUGUST 7: Reggie Bush #23 of the San Francisco 49ers runs drills during a practice session at Levi's Stadium on August 7, 2015 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - AUGUST 7: Reggie Bush #23 of the San Francisco 49ers runs drills during a practice session at Levi's Stadium on August 7, 2015 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 5
Next
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) /

Should the 49ers Change Out Linebacker Eli Harold?

The Niners have stockpiled a lot of linebacker depth heading into 2018, mainly due to the offseason concerns second-year pro Reuben Foster carried with him earlier this year.

San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers /

San Francisco 49ers

With Foster back, though, the 49ers have quite the logjam at the position. In addition to Foster, there’s Malcolm Smith, Korey Toomer, Brock Coyle, Dekoda Watson, the rookie Fred Warner and Eli Harold, among others.

Harold is primarily responsible for the strong-side (SAM) linebacking duties. But like many of the picks made by former general manager Trent Baalke, his status with the team over the long haul is, at best, in doubt. Especially considering his pass-coverage skills aren’t particularly great, and he has offered little in the pass rush (five sacks over his three-year career).

According to NFL Spin Zone’s Nicholas McGee, second-year offensive lineman Darrell Williams Jr. easily outworked Harold on back-to-back drills. That, from Williams, who was an undrafted rookie last year and spent most of his first season on the practice squad.

The 49ers have Foster slated to assume the WILL linebacker spot this season, with Smith holding down the middle (MIKE) position. It shouldn’t be out of the question, however, to give either Smith — he’s played SAM before in defensive coordinator Robert Saleh’s 4-3 Under system — or Warner an added look over Harold.

If either meet Harold’s level of play, it wouldn’t be shocking to see the Niners part ways with yet another one of Baalke’s picks before Week 1.