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5 notable takeaways from 49ers first depth chart vs. Cowboys

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CA - OCTOBER 22: Dez Bryant #88 of the Dallas Cowboys makes a catch against the San Francisco 49ers during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on October 22, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - OCTOBER 22: Dez Bryant #88 of the Dallas Cowboys makes a catch against the San Francisco 49ers during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on October 22, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/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)
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. 1: 49ers Aren’t Ready to Crown Dre Greenlaw a Starter… Yet

The maturation and development of rookie linebacker Dre Greenlaw, whom the Niners selected in Round 5 of this year’s NFL Draft, has been a fun storyline to watch.

San Francisco has given Greenlaw first-team reps at the strong-side (SAM) linebacker spot, which bodes well for his future role in the Niners defense, perhaps as early as Week 1.

Should this happen, of course, it would push the veteran linebacker, Malcolm Smith, out of a starting spot, potentially even off the 53-man roster altogether. Smith has been a disappointment over his first two years in San Francisco, missing 2017 with a torn pectoral before being relegated to backup duties last season.

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Yet Smith is listed as the first-team SAM linebacker for this contest, which could be an indication Kyle Shanahan and Robert Saleh aren’t quite ready to crown Greenlaw the shoo-in starter for the regular season.

But it’s also possible the Niners are doing something different.

It’s going to be highly difficult moving Smith through a trade, considering he’s on a one-year contract with $4.2 million guaranteed. If Smith somehow flashes the same kind of playmaking, ability which earned him a Super Bowl MVP award back in 2014, there might be a small market for him.

Keyword: might.

Showcasing Smith in this way could be an attempt to do so. Or it could merely be a chance for Smith to get some high-profile reps without running the risk of forcing Greenlaw into the fray prematurely.

Next. 49ers vs. Cowboys: 4 players who must impress in preseason Week 1. dark

Either way, more of these questions and takeaways will be clearer when the 49ers host the Cowboys on Saturday, Aug. 10 at 9 p.m. ET from Levi’s Stadium.