Niner Noise
FanSided

Biggest 49ers winners and losers from the 2019 NFL Draft

By Peter Panacy

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 28: NFL Commissoner Roger Goodell greets Aldon Smith, #7 overall pick by the San Francisco 49ers, during the 2011 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall on April 28, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 28: NFL Commissoner Roger Goodell greets Aldon Smith, #7 overall pick by the San Francisco 49ers, during the 2011 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall on April 28, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, AZ – OCTOBER 28: Linebacker Malcolm Smith #51 of the San Francisco 49ers tackles tight end Jermaine Gresham #84 of the Arizona Cardinals during the fourth quarter at State Farm Stadium on October 28, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – OCTOBER 28: Linebacker Malcolm Smith #51 of the San Francisco 49ers tackles tight end Jermaine Gresham #84 of the Arizona Cardinals during the fourth quarter at State Farm Stadium on October 28, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Loser: Linebacker Malcolm Smith

Veteran linebacker Malcolm Smith has been trending in the wrong direction with the 49ers for some time now, starting off after he suffered a season-ending pectoral injury after joining the Niners on a lucrative free-agent deal back in 2017.

With his contract renegotiated to a one-year deal, essentially, Smith’s future with San Francisco likely won’t extend beyond 2019.

It could end sooner, too.

Smith saw a significant decrease in snaps towards the end of last season, being relegated to backup duty and seeing starts go to a perennial special teams linebacker, Elijah Lee.

Now, with former Arkansas linebacker Dre Greenlaw in the mix (selected by San Francisco in Round 5), Smith’s chances of hanging around just took a bit hit.

The 49ers already have linebackers Fred Warner and Kwon Alexander slated for starting duties. Greenlaw and Lee now figure to be the two prime backups, leaving Smith about as far on the outside as possible.