49ers: 5 under-the-radar players to watch in 2019 training camp

5 under-the-radar 49ers players to watch in 2019 training camp

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 31: Kendrick Bourne #84, Dexter McCoil #27, Cassius Marsh #54, Tyvis Powell #45 Mark Nzeocha #46 and Elijah Lee #47 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrate during the second half of a game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 31, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

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SANTA CLARA, CA – NOVEMBER 01: Martavis Bryant #12 of the Oakland Raiders is tackled by Elijah Lee #47 of the San Francisco 49ers during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on November 1, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

No. 2: Linebacker Elijah Lee

The 49ers are set at two of their three linebacker positions entering 2019. The Niners’ free-agent pickup this offseason, Kwon Alexander, will handle weak-side (WILL) duties with second-year pro Fred Warner reclaiming his MIKE role.

Yet the strong-side (SAM) spot looks to be up for grabs.

San Francisco’s linebacking deployment will look a little different this year. The team’s switch to a wide-9 alignment pushes the SAM linebacker into more of a traditional “stack” role, meaning the three are much more interchangeable.

This opens up the competition for SAM a bit more. Two names to watch here are the veteran, Malcolm Smith, and special teams ace Elijah Lee.

Smith received first-team SAM reps during OTAs. But one has to remember Lee ousted Smith from his starting job late last season.

Maybe Lee winds up doing the same again in training camp.

Either way, Lee is right in the mix of what could be an unheralded, yet important camp battle next month.