San Francisco 49ers: Full 2018 depth-chart predictions ahead of Week 1

Linebacker

MIKE: Brock Coyle, Fred Warner

WILL: Malcolm Smith, Elijah Lee

SAM: Mark Nzeocha, Dekoda Watson

Things finally start to get a bit interesting now.

One should note second-year linebacker Reuben Foster will start 2018 on the reserve/suspended list, as he starts his two-game suspension to start the season and won’t count against the 49ers’ 53-man roster.

We’ll likely see a trio of Brock Coyle, Malcolm Smith and the rookie, Fred Warner, at the inside linebacker (MIKE and WILL) spots to start the season. Warner, whose pass-coverage abilities at BYU were exemplary, should sub in during passing downs. And it wouldn’t be a shock to see him regularly rotate with either Coyle or Smith in base formations either.

In that regard, it’s good the Niners have some flexibility.

There’s a bit of a weakness at SAM linebacker, however, particularly after the preseason trade of Eli Harold to the Detroit Lions.

Mark Nzeocha got the preseason starts here following the deal, which is a good indication he’ll do the same when Week 1 rolls around. It is possible, however, the Niners consider moving someone like Smith or Warner over to that spot if Nzeocha doesn’t pan out to expected levels.