Niner Noise
FanSided

San Francisco 49ers: 5 veterans on the bubble after 2019 NFL Draft

By Peter Panacy

GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 28: Wide receiver Marquise Goodwin #11 of the San Francisco 49ers scores on a 55 yard touchdown reception against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half of the NFL game at State Farm Stadium on October 28, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the 49ers 18-15. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 28: Wide receiver Marquise Goodwin #11 of the San Francisco 49ers scores on a 55 yard touchdown reception against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half of the NFL game at State Farm Stadium on October 28, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the 49ers 18-15. (Photo by Christian Petersen/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) /

No. 2: Linebacker Malcolm Smith

Veteran linebacker Malcolm Smith‘s future with the 49ers took a hit last season when, finally fully healthy, he was relegated to a backup role despite being one of the team’s prime free-agent pickups back in 2017.

Once 2018 was over, the Niners restructured Smith’s contract to a one-year deal expiring after the upcoming season.

That alone is a sign Smith isn’t going to be a part of the team’s long-term plans. But after San Francisco inked linebacker Kwon Alexander in free agency, along with retaining depth linebacker Elijah Lee, Smith was destined to be on the fringes of the roster.

Even more now with Arkansas linebacker Dre Greenlaw entering the fold in Round 5 of the NFL Draft.

Alexander is coming off a torn ACL last season, so that opens up the door for Smith to stick around as a depth option with starter’s experience, and Greenlaw would essentially have to push Smith out of a reserve role.

That said, it’s just as feasible to see Alexander return fully healthy and paired with second-year pro Fred Warner on the two inside spots, with Greenlaw serving as an immediate backup.