49ers 2019 training camp: 5 top takeaways amid preseason
By Peter Panacy
No. 2: Dre Greenlaw Could Be the Steal of the NFL Draft
Rookies always receive a lot of attention during their first training camp and NFL preseason. And the 49ers don’t lack focus on Nick Bosa, Deebo Samuel, Jalen Hurd and even punter Mitch Wishnowsky.
San Francisco 49ers
But one player worth pointing out a lot is Arkansas linebacker Dre Greenlaw, whom the Niners grabbed in Round 5 of this year’s NFL Draft.
Many a scouting report suggested Greenlaw would be little more than a special teams ace and, potentially, a solid reserve option. Throughout training camp and into the 49ers’ first exhibition bout of 2019, though, Greenlaw is solidifying what looks to be a starting role as the defense’s strong-side (SAM) linebacker.
Plays like this help illustrate why.
Greenlaw is already showcasing his football IQ and on-field prowess. And considering San Francisco’s switch to a wide-9 defensive alignment makes all three linebacking spots much more interchangeable, the rookie can now be counted upon to be more integral a piece for the 49ers defense this season.
The Niners have had some luck with plenty of day-three draft finds the past few seasons, but the overwhelming majority of them have been on the offensive side of the ball.
It would be fantastic for San Francisco to finally land an impact player on defense from this category. Greenlaw could end up being just that.