Niner Noise
FanSided

San Francisco 49ers: Creating the ideal starting lineup for 2018

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CA - SEPTEMBER 16: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers congratulates Garrett Celek #88 after Celek caught a touchdown pass against the Detroit Lions at Levi's Stadium on September 16, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - SEPTEMBER 16: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers congratulates Garrett Celek #88 after Celek caught a touchdown pass against the Detroit Lions at Levi's Stadium on September 16, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – OCTOBER 14: Anthony Barr #55 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates after tackling David Johnson #31 of the Arizona Cardinals in the third quarter of the game at U.S. Bank Stadium on October 14, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – OCTOBER 14: Anthony Barr #55 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates after tackling David Johnson #31 of the Arizona Cardinals in the third quarter of the game at U.S. Bank Stadium on October 14, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

Linebacker

WILL: Reuben Foster

MIKE: Fred Warner

SAM: Anthony Barr

Yes, another big free-agent change here.

The 49ers would be wise to consider changing out strong-side (SAM) linebacker Malcolm Smith, who has spent the better part of his two years in San Francisco injured. And with the emergence of the rookie, Fred Warner, Smith’s fit as an inside backer is no longer there.

And on a five-year, $26.5 million contract, he’d be getting too much money for a backup.

The Niners could cut bait with Smith after this season and end up saving $1.25 million in cap space. Dead money would hurt a small bit, but that’s not a big problem for the 49ers.

That kind of money would be better spent on a true impact SAM linebacker like the Minnesota Vikings’ Anthony Barr, who hits the open market this season. And the kind of contract Smith is receiving would be in line for what Barr, a three-time Pro Bowler, could receive.

Paired with Warner and second-year standout Reuben Foster, the 49ers would easily have one of the best linebacking corps in the NFL.

Remember the last time San Francisco could boast that?