49ers mid-preseason 53-man roster projection for 2019

8 of 10

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – AUGUST 15: Kwon Alexander #58 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers looks on during the preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings on August 15, 2015 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defeated the Buccaneers 26-16. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

Linebackers

April (5): Kwon Alexander, Fred Warner, Malcolm Smith, David Mayo, Dre Greenlaw

Mid-preseason (6): Kwon Alexander, Dre Greenlaw, Fred Warner, Azeez Al-Shaair, Elijah Lee, David Mayo

The 49ers linebacker situation is another place where the numbers have changed since April.

Much like with the defensive line, most of the core here remains the same, with one notable exception: former Seattle Seahawk and first-ever John Lynch/Kyle Shanahan free-agent signing Malcolm Smith is gone.

Smith has only played in 12 games for the 49ers in two season, missing the 2017 campaign entirely, and starting just five times in 2018. He managed just 35 tackles (three for loss) and three quarterback hits last year.

The main reason he’s now surplus to requirements is the arrival of rookie fifth-round pick Dre Greenlaw, who has both impressed in practice and flashed during preseason games.

He’s often looked like a rookie, too, misreading plays and missing assignments, but given the time the 49ers defense will actually feature all three linebackers on the field at the same time, it makes more sense for the team to think about the future rather than sticking with the veteran who doesn’t figure to be around the team much longer anyway.

The other three players are here for two purposes: depth and special teams.

David Mayo and Elijah Lee in particular have both shown themselves to be quality special teams aces who can step up on defense in a pinch. Mayo filled in at middle linebacker during his time in Carolina, and Lee can slide in at either strong or weak side outside linebacker, as he did for the 49ers last year.

As for the sixth and final member of this unit, undrafted free agent Azeez Al-Shaair, his placement is partially to avoid running him through waivers and also to keep his pace and obvious nose for the ball on the team. He finished his career at Florida Atlantic with almost 400 total tackles, so his ability to find the ball carrier and bring him down could be useful on special teams.