Niner Noise
FanSided

Power ranking 49ers 2019 NFL Draft class after first 3 weeks

By Peter Panacy

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - APRIL 25: Nick Bosa of Ohio State reacts after being chosen #2 overall by the San Francisco 49ers during the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft on April 25, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - APRIL 25: Nick Bosa of Ohio State reacts after being chosen #2 overall by the San Francisco 49ers during the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft on April 25, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 9
Next
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 29: Detrez Newsome #38 of the Los Angeles Chargers looks to evade Dre Greenlaw #57 of the San Francisco 49ers during the preseason game at Levi’s Stadium on August 29, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 29: Detrez Newsome #38 of the Los Angeles Chargers looks to evade Dre Greenlaw #57 of the San Francisco 49ers during the preseason game at Levi’s Stadium on August 29, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /

42. . . . Dre Greenlaw. 5. player

It wasn’t too surprising to see rookie linebacker Dre Greenlaw, San Francisco’s fifth-round pickup, named the starting SAM backer when Week 1 rolled around. Greenlaw’s strong ascent prompted the 49ers to part ways with the veteran, Malcolm Smith, just ahead of roster cuts.

By all accounts, Greenlaw has held his own early this season. He’s managed eight tackles on the year, and Pro Football Focus has given him a respectable 68.5 overall grade.

So why isn’t Greenlaw listed higher?

Well, SAM linebackers aren’t quite as relevant in today’s pass-happy NFL, where the strong-side player often comes out of the formation in favor for an extra defensive back.

As such, it shouldn’t be too much of a surprise Greenlaw has seen just 86 snaps, compared to the 176 snaps played by this group’s leader, second-year linebacker Fred Warner.

The relative lack of importance keeps Greenlaw from being higher on this list. But that doesn’t eliminate his potential as a key role player and backup.