49ers: Top 10 takeaways from first weekend of training camp

Top 10 takeaways from 49ers’ first weekend of training camp

SANTA CLARA, CA - MAY 11: LaMichael James #23 of the San Francisco 49ers carries the ball running away from Michael Wilhoite #57 during Rookie Minincamp at the San Francisco 49ers practice facility on May 11, 2012 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

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BATON ROUGE, LA – NOVEMBER 14: Dre Greenlaw #23 of the Arkansas Razorbacks pursues Brandon Harris #6 of the LSU Tigers during the second quarter of a game at Tiger Stadium on November 14, 2015 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

No. 6: Dre Greenlaw is getting a chance to be a starter

While most starting positions seem very set, there are a few glaring competitions that are ready to go.

It’s very rare a fifth-round draft pick gets a chance to start right away in camp, but linebacker Dre Greenlaw has been given that chance and early signs are promising.

The competition for the starting role of SAM linebacker is wide open, and Greenlaw has been getting first-team reps at the position.

Greenlaw is slightly undersized but possesses some good instincts, he showed that off by getting into the backfield to stuff running back Tevin Coleman for a loss.

There’s a big hole at SAM linebacker next to Fred Warner and Kwon Alexander, and Greenlaw could be the third rookie linebacker in three years to start right away.