San Francisco 49ers: Dre Greenlaw has most to gain in preseason opener
One of the biggest surprises for the San Francisco 49ers has been the work of rookie Dre Greenlaw at training camp. While he hasn’t been named starter, Greenlaw could continue his strong work during the preseason games.
Under the John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan regime, the fifth-round picks of the San Francisco 49ers can be described best as “above average” to “a home run”.
Last year, the Niners drafted D.J. Reed, who played very strongly at nickel cornerback when injuries required him to start. Reed is also a talented returner, whom the 49ers can call upon.
The year before, in the first year of the regime, San Francisco drafted two players in the fifth round who would become very important parts of the offense today, in wide receiver Trent Taylor and tight end George Kittle.
Taylor is the overwhelming favorite to be the starting slot receiver this year, and has been a strong performer throughout training camp. Taylor and quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo already have a strong rapport, and the slot receiver looks set for a breakout year in his third season.
Kittle, of course, is an infinite amount of types of awesome both on and off the field. His ability to make tough catches, put on a burst of speed and break tackles for extra yards consistently makes him one of the top young offensive players in the NFL.
This year, rookie linebacker Dre Greenlaw is looking to continue the 49ers streak of fifth-round steals, and he’s been on the right track to keep it up.
What Greenlaw has to do
Greenlaw started fast on the very first practice, blowing into the backfield to stop a run for a loss.
This hasn’t been a fluke either. The 49ers have seen a lot of promising signs from the rookie throughout training camp, to the point it was a mild surprise the 49ers’ first depth chart of the season did not make him a starter.
It’s probably for the best, you don’t see many late-round rookies handed a starting spot before even a preseason game has been played after all, and Greenlaw now has a chance to earn a starting spot and show he’s not just a strong camp body.
Related Story. 49ers 2019 training camp: How Dre Greenlaw is rising to the top. light
Niner Noise’s own Peter Panacy already broke down how Greenlaw has impressed with his nose for the ball and his work in run defense, but what also sets him apart is his strengths in man coverage on passing downs.
The 49ers lack a linebacker who excels in man coverage, and Greenlaw could quickly carve out a niche as a run-stuffing defender who can perform well on third downs, too.
In the preseason games, Greenlaw has to do what he’s shown in training camp for the last fortnight. As a rookie who isn’t listed as a starter, Greenlaw will be playing against backups and practice squad players from the Dallas Cowboys in Week 1 of the preseason and so should be able to make plays.
If Greenlaw takes what he’s done on the practice field and translates it into the preseason games, the 49ers won’t be able to deny him a starting role in Week 1.
Next. 5 49ers with the most to gain in preseason Week 1 vs. Cowboys. dark
That’s why Greenlaw has the most to gain when the 49ers and Cowboys kick off for Week 1 of the preseason on Saturday, Aug. 10 at 9 p.m. ET from Levi’s Stadium.