Niner Noise
FanSided

San Francisco 49ers: Grading each rookie NFL Draft pick after 2019 season

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) /
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Dre Greenlaw, 49ers
Dre Greenlaw #57 of the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

B-. . Linebacker. Round 5. DRE GREENLAW

As far as value goes, the 49ers got plenty of it from their fifth-round 2019 NFL Draft pick, linebacker Dre Greenlaw out of Arkansas.

Greenlaw’s ascent has been fun to watch, especially considering he was viewed as little more than a reserve player and special teams contributor coming out of the draft. But Greenlaw managed to overtake the then-49ers veteran, Malcolm Smith, during training camp. And when starting linebacker Kwon Alexander suffered a serious pectoral injury, Greenlaw was forced into a prominent role.

Granted, it wasn’t perfect. Greenlaw would frequently bite on play-action fakes, particularly early during his starting tenure. And while his coverage skills in college were good, there were plenty of gaffes when facing off against experienced pro-level competition.

That said, San Francisco received far more than what it could have expected from Greenlaw this season, and he finished second on the defense behind his linebacker mate, Fred Warner, with 87 tackles, even managing a sack and two pass breakups.

What safely pushes Greenlaw above merely just boasting an “average” grade here, is his game-saving tackle in Week 17 against the Seahawks, which ensured the Niners would get both the division crown and No. 1 playoff seed in the NFC.

Talk about not being overwhelmed by the moment.